Stuttgart three times. A political decision. And the Titanic signal that gives hope. We introduce the six and a half newcomers to Julian Nagelsmann’s squad.
Deniz Undav, Jan-Niklas Beste, Waldemar Anton, Toni Kroos, Maxi Beier, Aleks Pavlović and Maxi Mittelstädt (from left) © [M] ZEIT ONLINE, images dpa, Getty Images
Momentum was the word Julian Nagelsmann used most often this Thursday. A year ago, no player from VfB Stuttgart would probably have been nominated, said the national coach when he officially announced his squad for the two test matches against France and the Netherlands. Because the momentum carried VfB to third place in the Bundesliga, Nagelsmann nominated three new kickers from Swabia.
Rarely has there been so much hype about a test match squad; the final squad for the home European Championships will not be announced until May. But the tournament starts in exactly three months and because Nagelsmann’s team has performed mysteriously poorly recently and, last but not least, the coach said that things “definitely” have to change, the nominees now give some indication of who will be there in the summer.
