Julian Nagelsmann is about to play his first game as coach of the DFB team. Changes compared to predecessor Hansi Flick are already noticeable.
Foxborough – In just over 48 hours, Julian Nagelsmann will be on the sidelines in a game for the first time as coach of the German national team. At 9 p.m. German time we play against the USA in Hartford.
| Born: | July 23, 1987 (age 36 years) in Landsberg am Lech |
| Positions as a trainer: | TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, FC Bayern Munich, German national team |
| Coach of the DFB selection since: | September 2023 |
| Contract with the DFB until: | July 2024 |
DFB team: Nagelsmann probably does most of the explanations himself during training
Even before kick-off, according to a report from… kicker but recognizing changes. In the first unit overseas, Nagelsmann is said to have communicated a lot with the players. In contrast to his predecessor Hansi Flick, who often left the explanation of training methods to his assistant coach Danny Röhl, he apparently does this himself.
One of the veterans in the DFB team, midfielder Ilkay Gündogan, apparently supports the 36-year-old’s approach. Nagelsmann has “made relatively clear statements about the principles he wants in our game” and also wants to get “the maximum,” said the 32-year-old.
Julian Nagelsmann relies on experience in the national team
Gündogan himself also plays a key role. As Nagelsmann already announced at his introductory press conference, the FC Barcelona eight-man team will remain captain under his direction. “We’ll leave it at that. I really appreciate Ilkay Gündogan, as a person and as a footballer,” said the ex-Bayern coach. He probably feels the same way about Mats Hummels.
The central defender from Borussia Dortmund was called up to the squad for the first time since the round of 16 exit at Euro 2021. “I hope that he can pass on the things I want to see to his teammates. We need players, especially in the defensive line, who talk a lot, who coach a lot and control from the back. “With his experience and his tactical understanding, he should lead the other guys,” said Nagelsmann, explaining the nomination.
Nagelsmann’s DFB squad: only four players younger than 25 years
Keyword experience: Nagelsmann’s squad certainly suggests that this could be particularly important to him. Of the 26 players, 17 are already 28 years old or older, including newcomers Kevin Behrens (32) and Robert Andrich (29). With Malick Thiaw, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz, only four players are younger than 25 – it is the oldest DFB squad in over two decades.
“We see, especially in Leverkusen, that a good mix is important. Experience is always good for a team. Experienced, older players don’t need as long to adapt to a coach’s new things. “That’s an advantage,” Leverkusen’s Jonas Hofmann (31) is quoted as saying.
Joshua Kimmich is apparently allowed to return to the six under Nagelsmann
In addition, there were also indications during training as to how Nagelsmann could plan with Joshua Kimmich. In the 1:4 against Japan, the 28-year-old was assigned to the unpopular right-back position by Flick, and in the units he appears to be one of the two sixes again in the 4-2-2-2 system. Instead, Nagelsmann is said to have tried out Niklas Süle and Thiaw at right back.
The fans of the German national team will be keen to follow the line-up and performance of their selection on Saturday. After all, there are less than nine months until the 2024 European Championships in Germany. After the 2-1 win over France and the squad announcement, hope flared up. It remains to be seen whether this will be greater after Saturday evening or whether it will be dampened. (masc)