Basel, Switzerland – The German national football team’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup took an eventful turn with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Switzerland on Friday. While the scoreline itself was a spectacle, it was the nuances of the performance – the setbacks, the comebacks, and the individual brilliance – that provided head coach Julian Nagelsmann with valuable insights as he shapes his squad for the tournament in the United States.
Joshua Kimmich, sporting a visible mark above his lip from a second-half collision, addressed the media after the match. “It hurt for a moment, but it’s alright now,” the captain said, a sentiment that mirrored the overall mood of the Fußball-Nationalmannschaft. The match, a lively affair, left the team with a few scrapes and bruises, but the joy of the win outweighed any discomfort.
Nagelsmann was keen to emphasize the positive takeaways from the encounter. Just eleven weeks before the World Cup kicks off, the evening in Basel offered the coach a wealth of information, both positive and negative, as he assesses his team’s readiness for the global stage.
The performance of Florian Wirtz was particularly noteworthy. The 22-year-old, who scored twice and provided two assists, captivated the assembled footballing luminaries – including Rudi Völler, Lothar Matthäus, Switzerland coach Murat Yakin, and even former Germany manager Joachim Löw – with his dynamic play. Wirtz’s display effectively dispelled any lingering doubts about his world-class ability, even those that may have surfaced following his move to Liverpool.
“He is already a name in world football,” Nagelsmann exclaimed. “And if he continues like this, he will be at the very top for a very long time at all clubs. Because he is simply unbelievably good, committed and always with the necessary power.”
Wirtz’s impact is undeniable, and his form offers a significant boost to Germany’s World Cup aspirations. The prospect of having Jamal Musiala, fully fit, alongside Wirtz this summer further enhances their attacking potential. The team will be hoping Musiala can regain full fitness in time for the tournament, allowing “Wusiala” to weave their magic together once more.
However, the victory wasn’t without its blemishes. Switzerland’s three goals were conceded somewhat carelessly. But Nagelsmann was encouraged by the team’s reaction to those setbacks, a marked improvement from the lackluster performances against Turkey and Austria in the autumn of 2023. This resilience, he believes, is a crucial sign of progress.
Two deficits were overturned, and control of the game, particularly in the opponent’s half, was largely maintained. “Mentally, I think that’s very, very good,” Nagelsmann commented. The ability to respond to adversity will be vital at the World Cup, where setbacks are inevitable. “I think the positive thing we can highlight is that we came back,” said Leon Goretzka, echoing Nagelsmann’s sentiment. “I thought the performance overall wasn’t lousy, even though we conceded three goals,” added Kimmich.
The defensive vulnerabilities, however, were evident. Nico Schlotterbeck’s errors in possession contributed directly to two Swiss goals. Nagelsmann, however, chose to focus on the defender’s response to those mistakes rather than dwelling on the errors themselves. “He’s not getting a scolding,” Nagelsmann stated. “I think he recovered well in the game. That’s the key sign for me.” This approach, a deliberate attempt to foster team cohesion, doesn’t mean the defensive issues will be ignored, but rather addressed internally.
“Yes, we didn’t defend perfectly in some situations,” Nagelsmann conceded. However, he doesn’t foresee any immediate personnel changes, despite Antonio Rüdiger being available as a backup. Nagelsmann believes Schlotterbeck will rediscover his form, stating, “He’ll be back to his best on Monday.”
The return of Kai Havertz to the national team after a 16-month absence due to injuries was also a significant positive. Despite not scoring or delivering a standout performance, his presence was a clear indication of Nagelsmann’s faith in the Arsenal forward. Nagelsmann immediately reinstated Havertz as his central striker, ahead of Nick Woltemade, who had scored the most goals in World Cup qualifying (4).
“He had six or seven very, very dangerous situations,” Nagelsmann said of Havertz. “And yes, he needs to be healthy and get into good shape. Then that will be at the level of Florian Wirtz or Jamal Musiala for us.” Nagelsmann emphasized the need for every world-class player to be at their best, particularly when facing top nations like France, Spain, and Argentina, who possess greater depth in attacking options.
Leroy Sané, however, appears to be running out of opportunities to impress. Nagelsmann attempted to downplay Sané’s underwhelming performance, but his words lacked conviction. Instead, the future arrived on the pitch in the form of 18-year-old Lennart Karl, who proved to be a more dynamic threat on the wing. “He will give us a lot of joy in the years to come,” Wirtz said, praising Karl rather than Sané, hinting at a changing of the guard.
The German team’s next confirmed fixture is a friendly against Greece on June 7th, 2026, at the Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach. This match will provide another opportunity for Nagelsmann to fine-tune his squad and experiment with different tactical approaches ahead of the World Cup. The team will then travel to the United States to begin their World Cup campaign, with their first group stage match scheduled for June 18th against an as-yet-undetermined opponent.
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