Can the DFB team motivate itself to play for the game for third place after the bankruptcy against Portugal? Yes, says the national coach – and shortly afterwards triggers laughter with the reporters.
William Laing reports from Stuttgart
The bankruptcy in the semi-finals of the Nations League was a bitter setback for the DFB team. But on Sunday the eleven of national coach Julian Nagelsmann at least has the chance of a little reparation. The game for third place in the competition is against France (from 3 p.m. in the live ticker at T-Online). A victory could ensure a conciliatory conclusion of the Nation’s League season-and offers the DFB selection the opportunity to set an important sign before the World Cup qualification starting in September.
On Saturday, one day before the duel with the “Équipe tricolore”, Nagelsmann now commented on the motivation of his team for the game. Because it is also clear: there is no longer a title in the game against France. Accordingly, the assumption that the DFB stars may no longer be as motivated as before the encounter with Portugal may no longer be as motivated. However, the national coach decidedly countered this.
“It is still the German football A national team,” said Nagelsmann at the press conference in Stuttgart. “If I have to go to the cabin and always motivate it, I have to change the squad. Then something is wrong with the squad.”
The 37-year-old emphasized that playing for the national team should remain something special. “It’s also football. It’s also something nice that we do,” said Nagelsmann and then brought the journalists present in the room with his next sentence. “Nobody has to dig a field by hand in the morning.”
You can still play football, which is fun, the coach continued shortly afterwards. That is a great job, no pressure and no obligation, “but still something nice.” Whether his players feel the same way will turn out against France.