National team
Nagelsmann is probably radically restructuring the DFB squad for test matches
Julian Nagelsmann is shaking up the national team squad. Whether it stays that way in the end is another question.
© Federico Gambarini / DPA
Julian Nagelsmann recently announced personnel surprises for the national team. Apparently the national coach is implementing the plans consistently – with consequences for previous regular players.
Shortly afterwards, “Sport Bild” reported that apart from attacker Niclas Füllkrug, no other Borussia Dortmund professional would be appointed. Accordingly, Nagelsmann would do without Mats Hummels, Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck and Julian Brandt. If one of the four players impresses in the Champions League round of 16 against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, Nagelsmann could possibly change his mind again, the report continued.
Aleksandar Pavlovic is there, Leon Goretzka is not
According to information from “Bild” and “Kicker”, Nagelsmann will certainly nominate Goretzka’s 19-year-old Munich midfield partner Aleksander Pavlovic for the first time, who is also being courted by the Serbian association. A day earlier, the TV broadcaster Sky had reported without citing the source that the national coach would also appoint Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav for the first time.
In addition, returnee Toni Kroos should be part of the squad for the two classic international matches for the first time in a long time. Goretzka could have been a logical sidekick to the Real Madrid boss in the team’s control center. Instead, just a few months before the start of the tournament, the 29-year-old, like the four BVB professionals, may even have to worry about his participation in the European Championship.
With a view to the European Championships, Nagelsmann had already announced personnel surprises in a “Spiegel” interview at the end of February. “There will definitely be one or two people who won’t be nominated who many people think will definitely be there,” said the 36-year-old. The fact that Pavlovic will be taking part in the upcoming tests instead of Goretzka according to “Bild” and “Kicker” is definitely such a surprise. The alleged disembarkation of four Dortmunders is also unexpected.
Julian Nagelsmann is concerned with the mentality of the players
After previously mixed performances, Goretzka was recently an integral part of the Munich midfield center again and impressed with good performances such as the recent 8-1 win against FSV Mainz 05. Süle and Schlotterbeck had recently consistently formed the defensive center at BVB. But now the national coach is probably relying on several debutants. By nominating Pavlovic, Nagelsmann would get ahead of the Serbs. At the end of November, the Bayern professional was still playing for the German U20.
Record national player Lothar Matthäus spoke out against the youngster’s appointment on Tuesday. “He played great recently, you have to acknowledge that, but you shouldn’t turn the boy’s head,” wrote Matthäus in his “Sky” column. Pavlovic is not “already a candidate for the national team.” Nagelsmann obviously sees it differently. He will officially announce his squad for the two classics on Thursday (2 p.m.). In addition to Pavlovic, Anton, Mittelstädt and Undav, Jan-Niklas Beste from Bundesliga promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim and Maximilian Beier from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were recently considered debut candidates.
In “Spiegel”, Nagelsmann emphasized that he wanted to influence the mentality of the struggling DFB team with targeted nominations. He cited 32-year-old Pascal Groß from English first division club Brighton & Hove Albion as an example. “We will have more players in the squad like Pascal Groß, who sometimes throw themselves in for others and are less concerned with shining with a great pass,” said the national coach. So further surprises cannot be ruled out.