Only 19 days left until the European Championships!
Before the kick-off on June 14th (opening match against Scotland in Munich), record-breaking national player Lothar Matthäus talks about the tournament. He himself took part in four European Championships and won the title in 1980!
In the BILD interview he explains what he expects from the home tournament!
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Lothar Matthäus (63): The chance is great! We have a good team. I really agree with the nomination of national coach Julian Nagelsmann. In addition to the quality that all the nominees have, he was concerned about cohesion and harmony so that a positive energy can develop. That is incredibly important in a tournament.
Lothar Matthäus: These are my favourites for the European title
Who are the favorites?
Vice World Champion France, Vice European Champion England and Germany are among my narrow favourites. Behind them are Croatia, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and defending champion Italy.
You became European champion in 1980 as a 19-year-old midfield rookie with 17 minutes of action. What do you expect from the youngest player now, Aleksander Pavlovic, who is just 20 years old?
Back then, nobody in Mönchengladbach was interested in me, and suddenly I was on the big stage. Pavlovic has come a long way now; he has not only played in the Bundesliga for Bayern, but also in the Champions League. He deserves the nomination. He will be proud, will accept his role in the second row, but he will also be motivated and will give it his all in training.
Aleksander Pavlovic is set to make his DFB debut at the European Championships
Photo: WITTERS
In 1988, you led our national team to the semi-finals as captain. How do you assess the situation of the current captain İlkay Gündoğan?
I don’t see him as a given. Toni Kroos is the face of the team, the key player and the coach’s extended arm. Maybe like I was in 1988 and at the 1990 World Cup. It was the right move by Nagelsmann to bring him back as an absolute leader. He is the most established of all the national players. And because he and Gündogan play similarly, Gündogan will probably have to take a back seat.
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Photo: BILD
Can this lead to conflict?
No. I believe that Gündogan is experienced and intelligent enough to accept the situation.
At Germany’s last European Championship triumph in 1996, you, as captain and 1990 world champion, were not nominated by national coach Berti Vogts. Do you feel for Mats Hummels and Leon Goretzka?
Both would have deserved to be there based on their performances. Although Hummels obviously lacks something, namely speed. And Nagelsmann relies on speed overall. Of course it is bitter and disappointing not to be called up for a home European Championship. But there could have been unrest around Hummels and Goretzka on the bench. I’m not saying that the two of them are bad guys – no! The unrest would have come from outside. Who do the journalists ask when things aren’t going well? Hummels and Goretzka rather than Koch or Anton or Pavlovic.
A picture from the past: Bayern’s Leon Goretzka (l.) and Dortmund’s Mats Hummels are no longer part of the German squad
Photo: MATTHIAS SCHRADER/AFP
What does your starting eleven for the European Championship look like?
Neuer in goal, despite his uncharacteristic mistakes recently. But he will show his true colors again at the European Championships. Kimmich at right back, Tah and Rüdiger in the middle. Left back, perhaps surprising to some: David Raum. Because he has developed strongly in the back four under Marco Rose in Leipzig, is experienced, and brings the necessary offensive dynamism and robustness. Then Andrich in front of the defense. Kroos at eight. And behind the striker Havertz I would put Sané on the right, Musiala as a ten and Wirtz on the left-half left, with space behind him.
Sounds optimistic.
This team can become European champions! Also because we have a strong bench. Up front with Füllkrug and Undav, at the back with Henrichs and Mittelstädt, or on the wings with Führich and the inexperienced but very fast and dangerous Beier.
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Will the starting eleven really include Musiala and Wirtz?
Yes! Jamal and Florian are our once-in-a-century talents. They have extra quality, outstanding technique and a great understanding of the game. It is a pleasure to watch how they outplay their opponents. We don’t have a luxury problem – the two are a luxury gift for German football.
And Thomas Müller?
I’m sure he knows his role. With his experience, he is an important contact for the coaching team and especially for the young players. And when he comes in, he brings that certain something with him, he is unpredictable. Unique! And he can coach the team on the field.
Who will be the shooting star of this European Championship?
Musiala, Wirtz, Bellingham and Mbappé are all still very young and can no longer be described as shooting stars. Perhaps someone from another nation will become a big star who is not yet well known internationally.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing?
To the German team!
Will he also score at the European Championships? Niclas Füllkrug celebrates his goal in the friendly against Holland (final score 2:1)
Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
In 1988, the core of the team that became world champions in 1990 was born at the home European Championships. Is something similar possible?
A new era can actually begin because our team has so much potential and so many good young players who are just at the start of their careers. It was an important signal from Julian Nagelsmann that he is staying until the 2026 World Cup. And why shouldn’t we be able to become world champions then? But now we have to concentrate fully on the European Championships at home. And I hope that we have all learned from the recent setbacks, including the media: that we have to concentrate on football during the tournament – instead of putting other things above football.
Do you believe in a second summer fairytale like the 2006 World Cup at home?
Our two good friendlies against France and Holland were important in generating euphoria. The fans noticed that the team was playing for their country again and was putting in the effort. And the support of the fans is crucial to success. In sporting terms, however, third place at the 2006 World Cup was a disappointment, similar to our semi-final exit in 1988. I hope for a complete summer fairytale this year – with the trophy in the hands of captain Gündogan on July 14 in Berlin.
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Those: Codacons/Default name Youtube25.05.2024
2024-05-26 21:04:10
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