The start was successful: After the 3-1 win against the USA, the new national coach Julian Nagelsmann will test against Mexico on Wednesday (2:00 a.m., CET). The former Bayern coach speaks in advance at the press conference.
sport.de will accompany the media panel in the live blog from 9 p.m.:
+++ Are you testing on the outside positions? +++
Nagelsmann: We’ve discussed a lot over the last day and a half, but haven’t really decided. I decided not to rotate much to get the rhythm. I want to get a gut feeling. We will announce it to the players later this evening. Then you can let yourself be surprised.
+++ Are you consciously stirring up competition? +++
Nagelsmann: Competition is not direct now. In the national team you mostly have players who play a key role in the club. Competition is automatic and not consciously controlled. The considerations are who fits together and who can come off the bench. Competition is definitely not a bad thing, there are pros and cons for everything. (…) I have the feeling that it is good for everyone. That it’s good for the players that they have players breathing down their necks.
+++ Are you glad you didn’t resign after all? +++
Müller: I think the moment of elimination in Qatar was pretty tough. I knew the situation and the mechanics of doing poorly in tournaments. Players who have been there longer are the focus and have to take responsibility. In my last sentence I wanted to take the opportunity to say goodbye if it had been my last international match. That was a bit free from the liver. I have always decided that as long as I am a professional footballer and am on the pitch for my club every day, I am available. In my opinion, you don’t resign from the national team. There can of course be sporting reasons why you are not there.
+++ How do you see the future of the attacking midfield? +++
Müller: Germany has a lot of talented players in the gaps. But now it’s also about ensuring that these players are performers, that their performances no longer fluctuate. All the players we have there have to get there. Overall, Julian can rely on a large portfolio. I highlighted Chris (Führich) because I was asked about it, but also because he really impressed me.
+++ Do you protect players? +++
Nagelsmann: The rotation isn’t big, it’s more nuanced. We can intervene in the game. It’s about the players that they don’t waste any time. You know the rhythm, even with the travel. We know it from other nations that have to travel a lot. This was always the case with Alphonso Davies at Bayern. It was just a good first game, but we have to get into the rhythm. In the national team it is a little different than in the club because the level is very similar and only nuances decide.
+++ Will Gündogan remain captain at the European Championships? Is Kimmich fit if fit? +++
Nagelsmann: Ilkay will remain captain. He is not one to shout, but rather has very good powers of observation. It is important that we have continuity there. Basically, the performance principle applies, also to Kimmich. If Josh is better, he’s seeded. It’s not always just a decision about the first eleven, but also about possible adjustments. Josh is an important player who plays a key role at Bayern and the DFB. He is the most annoyed. We hope that it will be available to us in November.
+++ Do you still think back to the World Cup defeat against Mexico? +++
Müller: Now again. It was the start of the period in which we look back very negatively over the last few months and years. Nevertheless, that wasn’t present for me now. There are defeats in sport. I’m rather pleased that we got off to a good start under Julian and played well against the USA. My thought was more that we should continue this.
+++ How do you expect the opponent? +++
Nagelsmann: Compared to the USA, they play more straight. They are a very aggressive team, there will be a lot of Mexican spectators. Lots of fighting for the second ball and aggressive counter-pressing. It’s important that we stand our ground and hope that the outcome is the same.
+++ Let’s go! Nagelsmann and Müller take a seat +++
The national coach and the Bayern attacker have taken their seats – let’s go!
+++ Is Julian Nagelsmann rotating through? +++
The new national coach Julian Nagelsmann caused a few personnel surprises in the game against the USA. Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka, for example, initially had to make do with a place on the bench. Instead, Pascal Groß played alongside DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan. Does the Munich team have to watch again against the Mexicans?
Could Thomas Müller possibly start this time? The Munich player came on as a substitute against the USA in the final phase and promptly provided new momentum.
+++ Kick-off time causes discontent +++
Not only the trip to the USA itself, but also the late kick-off time of the game against Mexico was a thorn in the side of many fans. The game against the Central Americans, against whom the DFB team last lost 1-0 in the group phase of the 2018 World Cup, does not start until 2:00 a.m. German time.
The test match also poses many problems for the clubs, who have to wait a long time for their national players to return. Runner-up BVB even chartered a private jet so that they could bring their four DFB professionals back a little earlier. How does Bayern veteran Thomas Müller see the discussion?