The move to England and the associated media hype seems to overwhelm the two young stars at this early date of the season. The mixed performance against Slovakia and Northern Ireland can hardly be explained otherwise. Woltemade – apart from his early template for Serge Gnabry against Northern Ireland – was completely in the air in both games, had little bond with the game. The striker will have to improve as a target player in the attack, he wants to get further opportunities from Nagelsmann. Woltemade should also gain a foothold as quickly as possible at the club level. Otherwise it could even be tight with a possible squad place for the World Cup in one year.
The situation with Wirtz is not quite as serious, because the national coach emphasized its importance for the DFB team before the Slovakia game on T-Online demand. “He is one of our most important players who are happy to work, but he will also be,” Nagelsmann was certain. But as the rest of the German team worked only to a limited extent in Bratislava, hardly took place. The 22-year-old was lucky against Northern Ireland for a long time. Then he fled a free kick in world-class manner into the mesh. He now has to bring these qualities more often-in the DFB team, but also in England, where Wirtz has so far only indicated his potential. “I think it is important for him that the knots burst in Liverpool,” said Nagelsmann on Sunday evening. Maybe even next weekend at FC Burnley.
Even if the course was only 50 percent satisfactory according to national coach Nagelsmann, Germany has direct World Cup qualification itself. In order for this to succeed, a different attitude, better personnel decisions and a better form with important single players are needed.
If this is given and some currently injured national players return, German opportunities are good. Julian Nagelsmann remains at least optimistic. “We can do it,” he said on Sunday.