Julian Nagelsmann has, well, chosen a very special place for his debut as national coach. In Hartford, the capital of the US state of Connecticut, Boris Becker wrote a highly acclaimed chapter in German sports history in 1987. His titanic battle with John McEnroe in the Civic Center lasted six hours and 21 minutes, then he had defeated the tennis icon – the foundation stone for the Davis Cup triumphs in 1988 and 1989.
Less than a ten minute drive away, east across the Connecticut River, is the Pratt & Whitney Stadium. There, Nagelsmann wants to write the first pages of his very own success story in the duel with the USA on Saturday (9 p.m. CEST/RTL) – with the dreamed-of happy ending at the home European Championship. “We all have a great responsibility,” said the 36-year-old: “To play the best football for Germany.”
And from the beginning. The goal, veteran Thomas Müller said firmly, “is very clearly underlined, even with the coach’s contract term” until the tournament: “It’s about results and about playing successful football at the European Championships.” It shouldn’t be a big problem that Joshua Kimmich might be out (cold).
Nagelsmann leads the way. With lots of fire, lots of energy and a dash of fun. “He’s hungry for success,” reported returnee Mats Hummels enthusiastically, “he’s really keen on the whole thing and has clear ideas about his game.” These are clear down to the smallest diamond, but the new boss still knows how to concentrate on “the right amount of details that can be brought in in a short time,” praised Hummels.
Meticulous work was carried out in the four days of preparation at the grounds of the MLS club New England Revolution in Foxborough. Nagelsmann liked to lend a hand when he placed poles or player dummies. He did not initiate a “revolution,” as the lettering above the functional building promises.
“I’m an old hand,” said Müller with a smile, “for me there wasn’t that much that was new or any surprises. We’re still playing football.” But which one? Stressing the opponent with “healthy aggressiveness” – that is one of Nagelsmann’s guiding principles.
He didn’t want to reveal much more, only a single unit was completely open to those interested. Nevertheless, it became clear: the former Bayern coach has grabbed his team. “He has an idea of football that not only appeals to me but also to the others,” enthused Hummels.
More specifically: “He wants us to control the game – in both directions. That we are dominant with the ball and that we are all very active. I like that very much.”
The Dortmund player is back for the first time since the 2021 European Championships and is expected to lead immediately alongside defense chief Antonio Rüdiger. In doing so, Nagelsmann also changes the hierarchy, which finds expression in a clear axis.
Nagelsmann has “boiled down” principles
It starts with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and leads through the aforementioned central defender duo to the center in midfield with captain Ilkay Gündogan and Joshua Kimmich, who, however, was missing from the final training session under the steel blue sky. Leon Goretzka would be available as a replacement. Via Jamal Musiala and the in-form Leroy Sane, the structure leads to Niclas Füllkrug at the top.
At most, the two full-back positions and the last place next to Sane and Musiala in the offensive line are contested. It remained unclear until the end which system Nagelsmann would use to form his team. During one of the training sessions he had arranged red magnets in a 4-4-2 and yellow magnets in a 4-3-3 on the tactics board. “Of course I won’t say anything about that,” said Hummels with a grin.
It is clear that the “concept trainer” Nagelsmann has to make compromises. He had “boiled down” his principles a bit, said Müller, and “consciously mentioned two or three times that he didn’t want to keep things too complicated.”
He also left the role open for the most experienced member of the team with 123 international matches. “I’m ready for any shameful deeds,” Müller joked: “If I’m supposed to play left-back, I’ll also play on the left.”
With all the tinkering, there was little time for leisure activities such as visiting the renowned Harvard University or the impressive Gillette Stadium of the NFL’s New England Patriots. “What brings people together the most,” said Hummels, are “successes on the pitch.”
This could “stoke the fire that the country can carry” at the European Championships in eight months. Just like tennis hero Becker once did. – The expected German team line-up: ter Stegen – Süle, Hummels, Rüdiger, Gosens – Kimmich (Goretzka), Gündogan – Wirtz, Musiala, Sane – Füllkrug. – Trainer: Nagelsmann