Why Nagelsmann has the world rankings in mind
03.06.2025 19:50 | 3: 05m
In an exclusive interview, national coach Julian Nagelsmann reveals why winning the Nations League and thus a better placement in the world rankings for the DFB team would be so important.
Fold the video transcript
Fold out the video transcript
Germany has not lost to Portugal for 25 years and celebrated great victories. And yet they said in the press conference that they will not smear it on the bread for the players. Why is this Portuguese team so much more dangerous than possibly in the past?
Yes, I don’t say it because it doesn’t work for us tomorrow evening. I rather believe that it increases more pressure that you don’t want to be the team that doesn’t win against Portugal. I don’t need to say it from that. I think the players also read the statistics. But in principle it does not bring us anything for tomorrow evening. The team is well peppered, full of good single players, a lot of pace, a lot of gamblers in midfield, have a lot of possession of the ball, staffettes and then go to the pace. It makes it very difficult because you have the feeling that you come on the ball, but are still very ball -safe. If you then do not close the gap when someone defends out, they push into these interfaces. It was very good and of course also have a good physique, a lot of speed over the two outer lanes. Four players who run to the 36 makes it complex. But we are also a good team. And I think if we get a little more possession of the ball than the Portuguese, we definitely increase the chances of being able to win a game.
A title, even if it were only in quotation, would simply be incredibly good for self -image, for self -confidence. And you can tell the team that they want to win this title. And that would also be extremely important. Not only because it is a finger for next year, but because it would also be important for the world rankings. Because that can still play a role in the end. Does this also play a role in your head? Actually?
Yes. It doesn’t mean if you now eleventh in the world rankings that you cannot win the World Cup. But it is about probabilities, perhaps also excluding Mexico because it is simply geographical prerequisites that are difficult to play for a European team. For Germans, maybe a tick heavier for such as Spain or Portugal or Italy. Because of the heat. But it also plays a height, the height of the role and also in the other groups. Sure, in which the group head is, a top team is gone. It is therefore important to win the two games. Of course, if you get more chances of getting points for the world rankings, you also have greater risks. To lose them because we have stronger opponents than the Italians now in qualifying. But of course, the title is for us too. Winning every single game is important, but simply to get a self -image, get on and to be able to win titles, even if it is a smaller. But the Spaniards did it. Ultimately won. Then European champion. That can be a good role model in terms of that.
Last question Jo, Kimmich will make his hundredth international match tomorrow. He is in the illustrious circle of hundreds. Not many can say that. Cristiano Ronaldo makes his 220 … he is almost three years older than her. If you think about it. That is also a role model. Not only when it comes to fitness, but also attitude at all.
Yes, I think he said Joshua. Sure, its number is significant for us. We are extremely pleased that he does the hundredth international match. It’s already a big day for him. I know how ambitious he is there that he is always on the pitch. And with Cristiano? Clear to be so fit at that age. Experienced so many players. Also everyone you ask who played with him, how much he trains and how much he sleeps. It is also exceptional for this to do everything for his body. And that is then rewarded, which you can still play football extremely well at 40.
Thanks. Thank you very much.