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In preparation for the 2024 Euros, the German national team returned to winning ways in a convincing 2-nil victory over Les Bleus of France. Prior, the side had lost back-to-back games to Austria and Turkiye while an earlier draw to Mexico in October rounds up their past 3 fixtures.
This victory became just the second under gaffer Julian Nagelsmann (since his first game vs USA) and ended a period of raised eyebrows for the German NT.
Nagelsmann, who took over the job from Hans-Dieter Flick (also his predecessor at Bayern Munich) as a herculean task set before him to return Germany back to their heavyweight status in European and world football.
The Backstory
Since the 2014 world cup triumph under Joachim Low, Die Mannschaft have had questionable outings on the biggest of stages. 2 years after that triumph, they fell to Antoine Griezmann’s brace in the semi-finals of the Euro 2016.
The next Euro edition saw them crumble just 15 minutes to full-time as Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane earned a round-16 victory for the Three Lions.
In terms of the world cup, the succeeding editions have been nothing to write home about for the Germans. Crashing out at the group stages in both the 2018 and 2022 world cup tournaments.
The only glimmer in that period was the 2017 confederations cup — a tournament that was in fact a B-team showing. There was no showing for the supposed first teamers as the plan was to check out how the youngsters would perform against the best in the world.
Skippered by a 23-year-old Julian Draxler, that German outfit went all the way to victory going past Chile via Lars Stindl’s 20th minute strike in the final.
With Hansi Flick’s abysmal showing at the helm, Julian Nagelsmann has a standard to set come this summer at the European championships. The France friendly just might have given the initial indications of what to expect from the tactician.
Kroos control
The return of veteran midfielder Toni Kroos to the national team set-up comes as a much massive boost for the struggling side. It took just 7 seconds on his return to register an assist for Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz straight from kick-off.
The Real Madrid midfielder called time on his international career in July 2021 having won 106 caps for the nation. His performances when Germany lost to England at the Euro 2020 was called into question and as a result, he made his decision.
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Kroos announced earlier in the year on his Instagram that he would return to the set-up in March. “Why? Because I was asked by the national coach, I’m up for it and I’m sure that a lot more is possible with the team at the European Championship than most people believe!” He remarked.
FLO-wing football
Central to Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s title charge this season has been attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. Just recently returning from a cruciate ligament tear, he’s had a seamless return to competitive football already racking up 27 goal involvements in the offensive third of Xabi Alonso’s midfield.
The biggest question on his introduction to the national team set-up was how he and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala will co-exist in the same lineup. With Germany also boasting a plethora of midfield talents and dazzling forward players.
Against France, Nagelsmann opted for a more midfield-centric lineup. Robert Andrich started as the ball winner next to Toni Kroos at the base of midfield. Joshua Kimmich took on a familiar inverted role from right-back. In attack, he chose to field Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz either side of the experienced Ilkay Gundogan while Kai Havertz earned the topman spot.
The goal was simple — dominate the half spaces and consequently the game at large. It’s reflection saw Germany totally outclass heavyweights France in this encounter. Racking up 642 total passes with an accuracy of 91% while also producing a total of 15 shots.
Injuries and the veterans.
Julian Nagelsmann would be hopeful of having his key contingent fit for the tournament. With the grueling title race across Europe’s top leagues this season, it won’t be far-fetched to think some key players will miss the European championships.
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For context, Manuel Neuer picked up an injury just before this break, the fitness concerns of Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, Florian Wirtz amongst others would be crucial with recent injury concerns.
While Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has deputized in the absence of Manuel Neuer, the former Schalke 04 shot-stopper might likely take up the spot when he returns to the set-up.
Earlier in 2019, Joachim Low chose to retire the trio of Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller announcing he would no longer call them up to the national team — which of course generated attention from Bayern Munich as all three players were then with the club side.
The recent introduction of youth into the national set-up and with the loads of immense talent in the national team, the roles of the likes of Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan should be assessed from this tournament on out in preparation for the future of Die Mannschaft.
Nagelsmann Ball
The German gaffer is renowned for his vertical football style. He’s heavy on offensive football and peak pressing structures. With the willing runners in the German set-up, it looks more and more achievable in recent times than ever.
The ceiling of this side headed into the tournament from the ordinary looks to be immense and there are few managers in world football who can manage such an outfit better than the former RB Leipzig manager.
So over to you Julian Nagelsmann, the stage is set.
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