Eight months before the start of the home European Championship, the German national soccer team convincingly won the friendly against the USA. After his debut, national coach Nagelsmann particularly praised Captain Gündogan.
His outfit suited the external conditions. Julian Nagelsmann stood on the sidelines in an open lumberjack shirt during his debut as national coach on Saturday afternoon (October 14, 2023; local time) in Hartford – and thus sent a clear signal. He wanted to work in the cold, wet autumn weather, get involved, and stop the German national team’s decline.
And the 36-year-old was not only able to celebrate a convincing and deserved 3-1 win against the hosts after 90 minutes USA but also about some bright spots that could possibly become rays of sunshine at the home European Championship in eight months. “I think that overall, we were very, very good in terms of football throughout the whole game.”said Nagelsmann about the success in front of 37,743 fans Rentschler Field from Hartford.
What he liked most was that his team remained calm despite the 0-1 deficit thanks to a dream goal from Christian Pulisic in the 28th minute, said Nagelsmann. Captain Ilkay Gündogan equalized before the break (39th minute), Niclas Füllkrug (58th) and Jamal Musiala (61st) rewarded a German team that appeared much more dominant in the second half with their impressive goals.
US coach Berhalter sees Germany as a “competitor” for the title
After the change “patience better“, his team “as a closed block in the opponent’s half” advanced, have there “at the right moments“waited and then scored the goals,” praised Nagelsmann. US national coach Gregg Berhalter spoke of one “deserved victory” for the DFB selection – and one “Good learning experience for our team.”
Especially the “tactical flexibility“The guests were a big challenge, said Berhalter. He expected, said the former Bundesliga professional from Energie Cottbus, that the German team will grow and improve by the time of the European Championships – and thus a “strong competitor” will be for the title.
However, there is another test for the German national team in the USA. On Tuesday we play Mexico in Philadelphia. The encounter will be broadcast live on Erste on Wednesday night (October 18, 2023, from 1:45 a.m. in the live stream).
“Outstanding game” from Gündogan
Then, like against the USA, it could again be a matter of a convincing performance in the German midfield. Premier League-Professional Pascal Groß from Brighton & Hove Albion formed a very well-harmonized defensive duo with Gündogan. After many strong club performances, Germany’s captain finally played a really good international game.
The 32-year-old not only made it 1-1 and had three good chances to score within seven minutes at the start of the second half, but also impressed with his overall charisma. “Ilkay played an outstanding game in his position, wanted every ball. And he was incredibly calm on the ball.”said Nagelsmann, who was very kind to his captain in “two or three actions as a liaison player right up to the front“had perceived.
Pulisic exposes defense when conceding a goal
Füllkrug also collected plus points eight months before the European Championship opening game in Munich. After he failed from a few meters to US goalkeeper Matt Turner in the 22nd minute – “that was a hundred percent”, he said after the game – the New Dortmund player completed a remarkable pass from Wirtz and Musiala in the 58th minute to give them a 2-1 lead. Three minutes later Füllkrug also prepared Musiala’s third German goal.
Germany could have scored even more goals thanks to the very agile Leroy Sane (70th) and a powerful long-range shot from Niklas Süle (85th). Defensively, Nagelsmann’s team looked solid in the second half. Pulisic’s defense was exposed in the USA’s 1-0 win.
The former Dortmund player first ran away from Jonathan Tah and then took advantage of the indecision of Hummels and Antonio Rüdiger for a remarkable shot into the top three.
Hummels: Create an atmosphere like the 2006 World Cup
“His goal was pretty great. And I’m glad he only scored once“Said central defender Mats Hummels, emphasizing that currently “Every appearance is important” be for the team. Above all, to ignite euphoria with a view to the European Championships.
Hummels remembered the 2006 World Cup. Back then he had watched the games as a fan in Munich – and has not forgotten the fantastic atmosphere surrounding the games to this day. It is certainly possible to create such an atmosphere with good results and performances, “Where the fans notice that we’re keen, that we’re happy to be on the pitch for Germany“, to be able to create next summer too.
Nagelsmann wants to have “certain aesthetics involved”.
Hartford may have been the first step toward that. The second could come on Tuesday Philadelphia follow against Mexico. Nagelsmann has already announced some changes. As rustic as he was when choosing his outfit, he is just as demanding when it comes to the German national team’s football.
Just winning isn’t enough for him. “In the end, it’s important to me that we have a certain aesthetic in the game.” The last international matches of the year will be played on November 18th in Berlin against Turkey and three days later in Vienna against Austria.