Press
Julian Nagelsmann keeps few secrets about his desired starting eleven at the European Championships. The national coach is undeterred in pursuing a clear plan.
Frankfurt am Main – The national coach spoke: Julian Nagelsmann sets at the European Football Championship to 26 men. He named 27 players to his squad on May 16th, but he will still cut one player. Mats Hummels and Leon Goretzka came away empty-handed, although they have shown good performances recently.
But anyone who follows Nagelsmann’s plan carefully will see that he is staying true to himself. When there was no “business as usual” anymore, he took a different path in March with a lot of new names – and continued to follow this path consistently after the test match successes. The national coach wants to “change little” in order not to cause what he says is still a “fragile structure” to collapse. Each player should know his role as early as possible.
The consequence of this is that Nagelsmann’s desired starting eleven for the European Championships has already been determined. We summarize which DFB stars have secured their place in the first eleven if they remain injury-free.
This is what Julian Nagelsmann’s dream starting eleven for the European Championship looks like
- Manuel Neuer: The four-time world goalkeeper was named number one at the home European Championships by Nagelsmann and should lead the way as an experienced figurehead. He has once again pushed out rival Marc-André ter Stegen.
- Joshua Kimmich: The Bayern star has accepted his new role as a right-back. He also recently filled this position convincingly at FC Bayern. He is moving forward with strong performances and an irrepressible will to win. The 29-year-old doesn’t have to worry about his place in the starting line-up. Benjamin Henrichs from Leipzig is available as a replacement.
- Antonio Rüdiger: Declared head of defense by the national coach, regular player at Real Madrid: Rüdiger will take command of the German backline and lead the way as one of the best tacklers in the world. Nagelsmann: “We decided that Jona (Tah, editor’s note) and Toni, when they are fit, are our regular central defenders.”
- Jonathan Tah: The central defender played such a flawless season with Bayer Leverkusen that Julian Nagelsmann guaranteed him a starting eleven for the European Championships. Tah will form the central defender duo with Rüdiger.
- Maximilian Mittelstädt: The Stuttgart player also had an outstanding season and definitely has the potential to solve the national team’s long-standing problem in the left-back position. Nagelsmann gave him full trust and he repaid it against France and the Netherlands.
- Toni Kroos: The veteran was brought back by Nagelsmann as a pacesetter, driver and metronome in midfield and will play accordingly. The national coach is impressed: “When you hug Toni Kroos, despite the fact that he is no longer 20, he is like steel. Incredible body, still, he takes care of himself a lot.”
- Robert Andrich: Another Leverkusen player who is bursting with self-confidence. No wonder, after all, Andrich hasn’t lost a game in almost a year. The Berliner gets along brilliantly with midfield partner Kroos on and off the pitch. Nagelsmann no longer tears this duo apart.
- Ilkay Gündogan: Set as German captain. The 33-year-old is an absolute key player at both Manchester City and FC Barcelona, but he is often unhappy in the DFB uniform. Leroy Sané is breathing down his neck – but due to his status as captain, Gündogan will be in the starting line-up at least in the opening game.
- Jamal Musiala: The Bayern star’s exceptional abilities are undisputed; he is a difference player. If he gets his knee pain under control (which it looks like), the national coach won’t be without him.
- Florian Wirtz: Julian Nagelsmann would like to have the two high-quality technicians Wirtz and Musiala on the pitch together, he made that clear several times. What applies to Musiala also applies to Wirtz: The newly crowned German champion can decide games single-handedly. The only possible restriction for the two youngsters: If a game requires a real winger, Sané could be given preference.
- Kai Havertz: The England legionnaire is Nagelsmann’s first choice in the centre of the attack. At Arsenal FC, he has long been successfully filling this position – in his own way. In the duel with Niclas Füllkrug, he has the edge, and the BVB star is the only one who can still challenge him for this position. He has the qualities of a real “number nine”, which are needed as soon as the DFB team’s combination play falters or an opponent is extremely deep. (ep)