National soccer team
“Something really big can happen there.”
As of: 12:04 a.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
The starting eleven of the German national team against Holland – and perhaps a pointer for the European Championship
Quelle: Getty Images/Stuart Franklin
The German national team did not impress with their shine against Holland, but with their will to win. The second win in a row against one of the favorites to win the European Championship in the summer strengthens the confidence in the DFB team. Some even now see it as destined to greatness again.
The German national team also won the second major European Championship test and was in good shape for the home tournament. National coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team defeated the Netherlands 2-1 (1-1) in Frankfurt/Main on Tuesday evening. After Joey Veerman’s early deficit (4th minute), Maximilian Mittelstädt (11th) scored the quick equalizer. Substitute Niclas Füllkrug (85th) secured the second prestigious win after the 2-0 win against France. Before the European Championship opener against Scotland on June 14th, the German team has further test matches against Ukraine and Greece scheduled for the beginning of June.
“A well-deserved success,” said RTL expert Lothar Matthäus, “because they really wanted to win, especially in the last 20 minutes. The team’s belief grew with the game in France. A very important step. The German team didn’t top the game, but they fulfilled the expectations of the spectators. It’s a liberation for everyone involved.”
Now, said the Germany record international player, “they know what they can do. The team deserved to win twice against two great European teams and also showed that the substitutes fit in seamlessly. Something really big can happen there. Congratulations to the coach and his team. You have been through a difficult time. But now they’ve found something that fits together. We are among the narrowest circle of favorites for the European Championship.”
Kroos sees advantage through “radical exchange of players”
From the national coach’s point of view, there was “a good spirit” in the ten days that he and the team spent together. “You can feel that it’s fun again. Ilkay Gündogan (Captain of the German national team, the editorial team) emphasized this again in the dressing room after the game. This is the difference from the weeks and measures before. We really want to win a game now, like we did in the last ten minutes. We throw everything in.”
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Nagelsmann was asked what else had changed compared to the poor games and leaden months before. “The spirit of the team is very good,” he replied, “we have found a good mix. Also about players who accept their role of not playing and still give it their all when they come in.”
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The new leader and thinker of the German game also took a liking to the team – and its return. “The good news is that we played two very good friendlies. The bad thing is that it doesn’t bring any points for the tournament,” said Toni Kroos, who was once again a strong player. After falling behind early on, the team showed a strong reaction, said the Real Madrid professional.
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A few months ago the team would have “half collapsed, but that didn’t happen”. They “carried along the momentum” from the win against France. The team “came from a very, very difficult time”. Perhaps, Kroos mused, it was “good that not so many people brought this backpack here with them due to the relatively radical exchange of players.”
This could be seen as praise for Nagelsmann’s ultimately surprising squad composition for the games against France and Holland – and as a plea to plan this team and possibly even this starting eleven for the European Championships more than ever.
