After the convincing friendly victories against France and the Netherlands, national coach Nagelsmann only wants to make a few changes to the European Championship squad. For Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka, who were not nominated, the European Championship is in great danger.
Häme met the German national team after the embarrassing 2-0 defeat in the friendly against Austria in November. Four months later, the emotional situation has completely changed. After the victories against France and the Netherlands, the nation is dreaming of the next summer fairy tale. But there are also losers from the current upswing. Those who are not currently involved.
Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry currently have to watch the DFB team’s successes from their couch. Neither was nominated by Julian Nagelsmann. The fact that things were going so well without them and that the national coach indicated that he only wanted to make marginal changes with a view to the European Championships is not a good sign for the two Munich players.
Nagelsmann doesn’t want to trade much anymore
“If everyone stays healthy and everyone continues to perform like this, we definitely won’t swap ten players in the summer. That’s out of the question,” Nagelsmann made clear at the press conference after the 2-1 win in Frankfurt against the Netherlands and added : “Actually not five, maybe one or two.” Words that make it clear: Nagelsmann has largely found his squad. Most of those who were left out now will most likely also be at the tournament in the summer.
Nagelsmann made twelve changes to his squad compared to the last course and clearly nominated them based on the principle of performance. This meant that league leaders Leverkusen and the in-form Stuttgart team suddenly dominated the line-up. The teams from Dortmund (only Füllkrug) and Munich (Musiala, Müller, Kimmich, Neuer and Pavlovic) that were in crisis this season were no longer as numerous as in the past. The former regulars Goretzka and Gnabry now have to take a back seat. Her last appearance with the eagle on her chest was in the embarrassing 2-0 defeat against Austria in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.
Goretzka and Gnabry not in top form
It’s “not about having the 20 best from the best-known clubs, but the 20 that fit together best,” the national coach said when presenting his squad. There is no doubt that Goretzka and Gnabry can be among the best players in Germany when in top form. But both FC Bayern professionals rarely reached their maximum performance this season. At times, Goretzka was even more convincing as a substitute central defender than in his usual position in midfield. Serge Gnabry was repeatedly set back by injuries.
The national coach reported when the squad was announced that Goretzka was “of course frustrated” when he was ignored and made it clear at the time. “The same applies to Leon as to everyone else: with very good performances and an understanding of the roles, no door is closed.” That could have changed after the recent performances of the DFB players. In any case, Goretzka and Gnabry will need to improve their performance enormously in order to still play for Germany at the home European Championships.
Sané probably doesn’t have to worry
Leroy Sané was also unable to take part in the international matches. The Bayern star traveled especially for the game against the “Oranje” team. The national coach even had the plan to “include him completely, but he (Sané) had a few aches and pains,” as Nagelsmann explained on RTL before the game. The Munich player has a “quality that we don’t want to do without, we can’t do without,” said Nagelsmann at the press conference before the last test.
Things could look different with Goretzka and Gnabry.
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Source: BR24Sport March 27, 2024 – 6:30 p.m
