“The strength to always score goals”
©IMAGO
Julian Nagelsmann left the Mainz stadium at midnight in a good mood. “We can carry on like this,” said the national coach after the national team’s 4-0 win against Finland in the penultimate World Cup friendly. The 90 minutes delivered numerous winners and valuable insights exactly two weeks before the tournament emergency in Houston against Curaçao. “I’m very satisfied for a long time,” summarized Nagelsmann.
“We have the strength to always score goals.” That wasn’t just the coach’s opinion, but the central insight of the lively evening in the sold-out Mainz stadium. It took a while, but then Deniz Undav scored twice. And the exceptional players Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, who were finally reunited in the DFB jersey after 14 months, were also successful.
There was also Bayern youngster Lennart Karl, who made a lot of noise on the right wing in his starting eleven debut, wonderfully setting up Undav’s 3-0 goal and previously hitting the outside post himself. “A lot has happened to Lenny in the last seven months. He’s a street kicker,” praised Nagelsmann. In the duel with Leroy Sané for the starting position on the right wing, the 18-year-old seems to be ahead.
Undav also received big praise from the national coach after scoring two goals and an assist: “Deniz always had dangerous situations in the box. He was involved in three goals, so it was a very good game. If you score two goals and then assist one more, you’ll never be out of the team.” However, Kai Havertz, who will only join the DFB team on Tuesday in Chicago after his appearance and goal in the Champions League final, remains the first choice in the attack center. “We need Kai. His goal yesterday was extraordinary. We will catch him well,” said the national coach. “You saw his importance for the team. His hard work in defense. His brutal header strength, defensively even with set pieces. He’s a really good guy and a top player.”
Undav, who was replaced by Maximilian Beier in the 61st minute due to injury, was pleased with his performance. “When you score goals here with the national team, it just gives you more self-confidence. Now it’s time to just keep going, enjoy the moment and then see what happens,” said the Stuttgart player, who gave the all-clear. “I’m fine. I don’t think it’s anything serious because I know my body. I had it at the beginning of the week. Then it went away again for two or three days. One or two days off – then it goes on.”
The World Cup debutants Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha are approaching the starting positions on the double six in midfield. “The two of them did well, but they are still asked to do well,” said Nagelsmann, still reserved. He mentioned Angelo Stiller, Pascal Groß and the offensively stronger Leon Goretzka as competitors. “Pavlo has a lot of moments to accelerate the game, is very hard-working and travels a lot. Felix played higher than in Dortmund and was also good. I was happy with both of them.”
The young Frankfurter Nathaniel Brown was able to show himself again in the left-back position. “Nene is a player with a lot of potential, defensively he’s a very good one-on-one player against speed players. Offensively he feels very comfortable, he’s just a good footballer.” Leipzig’s captain David Raum still had a few aches and pains from the season, but played a very good World Cup qualifying. “We have two very good players who could both start,” said the national coach. On Saturday it’s against the USA.
