Without Jamal Musiala, but with newcomers Marvin Ducksch and Janis Blaswich, national soccer coach Julian Nagelsmann is continuing his preparation for the home European Championship. For the international matches against Turkey in Berlin (November 18th) and against Austria in Vienna (November 21st), the Werder Bremen striker and the RB Leipzig goalkeeper are in the 27-man squad for the first time, while Musiala is out due to a muscle injury.
“I’m absolutely looking forward to these two games. I’m looking forward to it being emotional and loud,” said Nagelsmann, adding that a huge number of Turkish fans are expected in Berlin. But everything points to the European Championships in the summer: “There are two tests that we want to use and that are characterized by emotionality.”
“You realize that you are on the right path and – quite clearly – that a dream will come true,” said Ducksch on his national team debut. “You can’t get any higher in football when you can play for your own country. That’s why I believe that a little dream will come true.”
A tricky decision has been postponed for the national coach: Long-time goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is showing strong performances again at Bayern Munich after a long injury break, but is not back yet as agreed. For now, Marc-André ter Stegen from FC Barcelona is in the German goal. The national team meets on Monday in Frankfurt.
“In the end there are clear statistics that can be proven after such a serious injury. We are all overjoyed that Manu is back,” said Nagelsmann. “The first games are very good, then it becomes clear that there is a small hole in which there is a risk of muscular injuries. We all hope that he plays extremely consistently until the next international break, then the signs look completely different again .”
The squad also includes Serge Gnabry and Joshua Kimmich (both Bayern Munich), who recently left the USA due to illness. Striker Kevin Behrens (Union Berlin), Leipzig left-back David Raum and Borussia Dortmund’s central defender Nico Schlotterbeck are missing – his teammates Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle are ahead of Nagelsmann.
The German squad at a glance:
Goal: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (FC Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt), Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Janis Blaswich (RB Leipzig)
Defense: Robin Gosens (Union Berlin), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), Malick Thiaw (AC Milan)
Midfield: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Groß (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Arsenal FC) , Jonas Hofmann (Bayer Leverkusen), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Attack: Marvin Ducksch (Werder Bremen), Niclas Füllkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)