Jamal Musiala (r.) elegantly rounded France goalkeeper Brice Samba and then set up for Kai Havertz, who made it 2-0.
Photo: imago/GEPA/Thomas Bachun
A walk through one of the most beautiful Renaissance districts in Europe is a must for everyone who comes to Lyon. The metropolis also maintains its reputation as the gastronomic capital of France. Just as tourists enjoy the turquoise sweet Coussine de Lyon, football fans enjoyed the black, red and gold gala menu far out in Décines-Charpieu.
The well-deserved 2-0 win over runner-up world champions and FIFA world rankings second France really whet the appetite for the home European Championships (June 14th to July 14th). This was something for gourmets. Or as sports director Rudi Völler said: “The best we’ve played in recent years.”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann has apparently found the right ingredients after a not uncontroversial radical treatment. The mix of artists and workers, veterans and talents was right. Florian Wirtz, the most hopeful jewel for the next decade, scored the fastest goal in German international history after eight seconds – and silenced the Groupama Stadium, which had just shaken during France’s national anthem. “I don’t think anyone really realized or understood what was going on,” said the 20-year-old art shooter. However, it was a choreographed variant that standard coach Mads Buttgereit had offered. Toni Kroos joked that the Dane had four months “to think of something.” The Real Madrid superstar was supposed to decide the menu straight away as a star chef.
With his first pass after his return, the 34-year-old pace setter had overcome the French’s disorganized defense. But the lightning goal wouldn’t have been enough if the basic attitude hadn’t been completely different to that in international matches in which Germany started well but then slacked off significantly – and often collapsed at the end.
The national coach seemed relieved. The evening before, the 36-year-old had expressly emphasized that his players should simply free themselves of the baggage in times when a change of supplier with no alternative in a free market economy leads to completely meaningless drivel from high-ranking politicians from all camps. »We wanted to radiate joy of life, we did that and found a very good middle ground.«
The motto (“We kick!”) seemed to particularly encourage Wirtz and Jamal Musiala to do magic. The way a Wirtz dream pass found Musiala and made it 2-0 for Kai Havertz (49th) was an expression of a joy in the game that is rarely seen at this level. At the back, Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rüdiger put in a flawless defensive performance, with Joshua Kimmich being particularly helpful on the right wing. Whenever Kylian Mbappé got away from him, keeper Marc-André ter Stegen simply stood there in his stylish black, red and gold goalkeeper uniform. It’s actually incomprehensible that such support should give up again at the European Championships when Manuel Neuer cut such a bad figure at the World Cup in Qatar.
Otherwise, the national coach has managed to free himself, which is why discussions are already underway again as to whether the contract, which is limited until the summer, should be extended. The soccer teacher only spoke vaguely. “In the end, I’d like to see what’s going on.”
France’s successful coach Didier Deschamps seemed dismayed at how his team Tricolore, which took part in three of the last four World Cup and European Championship finals, could lose again against Germany within six months: “We were not able to adapt to the intense level of the opponent. « Shortly after him, Nagelsmann used the press conference to make some demands with a view to the classic against the Netherlands (Tuesday 8:45 p.m./RTL). His team should please show the same “manner” in their appearance. Then he said the word about Sunday: “We’ve turned the indicator towards our home European Championship – it would be good if we keep pushing.”
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