National team
Nagelsmann’s European Championship puzzle: 27 subjects in four international matches
National coach Julian Nagelsmann is under pressure to succeed with a view to the home European Championships. photo
© Christian Charisius/dpa
Which team will start the European Championship against Scotland in Munich on June 14th? The national coach used 27 players in the first four international matches.
Manuel Neuer back in goal, Joshua Kimmich to the right back, Ilkay Gündogan in a more attacking midfield position, and possibly a DFB comeback from Toni Kroos: Nagelsmann (36) made these personnel moves after the defeats at the end of the year against Turkey (2:3) and in Austria (0:2) more or less clearly in prospect.
EM opponents: Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland
“There is no radical cure,” said the national coach after the draw for the European Championship groups. Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland are the DFB opponents. Nagelsmann tested 27 players in the first four international matches, of which only the one against the USA was won. Seven professionals were always used.
The defenders Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) and Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) were the only ones on the pitch for the entire 360 minutes of the game. Dortmund’s Niclas Füllkrug was the top scorer with three goals. His club colleague Mats Hummels (35) celebrated a surprising DFB comeback under Nagelsmann.
Little time, but big selection
As a national coach you have little training time with the team, said Hansi Flick’s successor. The advantage, in turn, is “that you can always reassemble the squad. That’s where you can have the greatest influence as a coaching team.”
The national coach has four more international matches in March against France and the Netherlands as well as in the immediate tournament preparation in June against as yet unnamed opponents in order to find and prepare the European Championship team for the opening game against Scotland on June 14th in Munich. Munich attacker Leroy Sané will initially not be available due to a suspension following his red card against Austria.