National team
All 26 in training: Gündogan is running well, Sané is laughing
Ilkay Gündogan at DFB training in Herzogenaurach. Photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
Before the next European Championship duel against Hungary, the DFB team is back in team training. Ilkay Gündogan’s ankle is obviously not causing any problems. There is a lot of laughter on the pitch.
The DFB captain was at the front of the training group on the pitch at the home ground. The 33-year-old was also involved in the passing exercises that were visible to the media. So nothing stands in the way of Gündogan playing in the next European Championship match on Wednesday (6 p.m./ARD/Magenta TV) in Stuttgart against Hungary.
The FC Barcelona professional had put in a convincing performance at the start of the tournament in the 5-1 win against Scotland. In central midfield, he shone as an assist provider, such as for Jamal Musiala’s 2-0. Before Kai Havertz’s penalty to make it 3-0, he was roughly fouled by Ryan Porteous. The Scot was shown the red card. Gündogan had to be treated but was able to continue playing. After the game, he left the pitch with an ice pack around his bandaged right ankle.
Gündogan was explicitly praised by Julian Nagelsmann for his game. “I am extremely pleased with Ilkay’s performance,” said the national coach about the “calming influence” in the German game. Gündogan himself was happy after his 78th international match. “I am glad that I was able to make my teammates better,” he said.
Sané, Rüdiger and the fun with the lawn sprinkler
In addition to Gündogan, all 25 other players from Nagelsmann’s European Championship squad took part in the training session on Monday in the humid, warm temperatures on the pitch at the home ground. And there was a lot of laughter. The mood was particularly exuberant in the group around Leroy Sané. The Munich offensive player and defensive leader Antonio Rüdiger jumped through the switched-on lawn sprinkler like little children, grinning.
Nagelsmann has another training session in Herzogenaurach late on Tuesday morning before the Hungary match. After that, the DFB team will travel by bus to Stuttgart. With a win against the Hungarians on Wednesday evening, entry into the round of 16 is already certain after just two games, provided Switzerland does not lose to Scotland.