Eight months before the start of the home European Championship, the German national soccer team convincingly won the friendly against the USA. After his debut, national coach Nagelsmann particularly praised Captain Gündogan.
By Heiko Oldörp (Hartford)
His outfit suited the external conditions. Julian Nagelsmann stood on the sidelines in an open lumberjack shirt during his debut as national coach on Saturday afternoon (October 14, 2023 / local time) in Hartford – and thus sent a clear signal. He wanted to work in the cold, wet autumn weather, get involved and stop the German national team’s decline.
And after 90 minutes, the 36-year-old was not only able to celebrate a convincing and deserved 3-1 win against hosts USA, but also some bright spots that could possibly become rays of sunshine at the home European Championship in eight months. “I think that overall, we were very, very good in terms of football throughout the whole game,” said Nagelsmann after the success in front of 37,743 fans at Rentschler Field in Hartford.
What he liked most was that his team remained calm despite the 0-1 deficit thanks to a dream goal from Christian Pulisic in the 28th minute, said Nagelsmann. Captain Ilkay Gündogan equalized before the break (39th minute), Niclas Füllkrug (58th) and Jamal Musiala (61st) rewarded a German team that appeared much more dominant in the second half with their impressive goals.
To the live ticker: USA – Germany arrow right
US coach Berhalter sees Germany as a “competitor” for the title
After the change, “the patience was better”, his team advanced “as a closed block into the opponent’s half”, waited “for the right moments” and then scored the goals, praised Nagelsmann. US national coach Gregg Berhalter spoke of a “deserved victory” for the DFB selection – and a “good learning experience for our team”.
Above all, the “tactical flexibility” of the guests was a big challenge, said Berhalter. The former Bundesliga professional from Energie Cottbus said he expected the German team to grow and improve by the time of the European Championship – and thus be a “strong competitor” for the title.
However, there is another test for the German national team in the USA. On Tuesday we play Mexico in Philadelphia. The encounter will be broadcast live on Erste on Wednesday night (October 18, 2023, from 1:45 a.m. in the live stream).
“Outstanding game” from Gündogan
Then, like against the USA, it could again be a matter of a convincing performance in the German midfield. Premier League professional Pascal Groß from Brighton & Hove Albion formed a very well-harmonized defensive duo with Gündogan. After many strong club performances, Germany’s captain finally played a really good international game.
The 32-year-old not only made it 1-1 and had three good chances to score within seven minutes at the start of the second half, but also impressed with his overall charisma. “Ilkay played an outstanding game in his position, wanted every ball. And he was incredibly calm on the ball,” said Nagelsmann, who had viewed his captain very favorably in “two or three actions as a liaison player right up to the front.”
Pulisic exposes defense when conceding a goal
Füllkrug also collected plus points eight months before the European Championship opening game in Munich. After failing from a few meters to US goalkeeper Matt Turner in the 22nd minute – “that was 100%,” he said after the game – the Neu-Dortmunder completed a pass from Wirtz in the 58th minute that was worth seeing Musiala cleared for a 2-1 lead. Three minutes later Füllkrug also prepared Musiala’s third German goal.
Germany could have scored even more goals thanks to the very agile Leroy Sané (70th) and a powerful long-range shot from Niklas Süle (85th). Defensively, Nagelsmann’s team looked solid in the second half. Pulisic’s defense was exposed in the USA’s 1-0 win.
The former Dortmund player first ran away from Jonathan Tah and then took advantage of the indecision of Hummels and Antonio Rüdiger for a remarkable shot into the corner.
Hummels: Create an atmosphere like the 2006 World Cup
“His goal was pretty great. And I’m glad he only scored once,” said central defender Hummels, emphasizing that “every appearance is important” for the team at the moment. Above all, to ignite euphoria with a view to the European Championships.
Hummels remembered the 2006 World Cup. Back then he had watched the games as a fan in Munich – and has not forgotten the fantastic atmosphere surrounding the games to this day. It is definitely possible to be able to create such an atmosphere with good results and performances “where the fans notice that we are keen, that we like to be on the pitch for Germany” next summer.
Nagelsmann wants to have “certain aesthetics involved”.
Hartford may have been the first step toward that. The second could follow on Tuesday in Philadelphia against Mexico. Nagelsmann has already announced some changes. As rustic as he was when choosing his outfit, he is just as demanding when it comes to the German national team’s football.
Just winning isn’t enough for him. “In the end, it’s important to me that we have a certain aesthetic in the game.” The last international matches of the year will be played on November 18th in Berlin against Turkey and three days later in Vienna against Austria.
