The German team was in all the highlights last week. It’s not just about beating France. And Nagelsmann seems to have taken the keys to control this team. The Germans were very good with the world runners-up. Especially after the terrible games against Türkiye and Austria. The 2:0 victory certainly inspired many even more than Kroos’ return to the national team. And exit to the Muller field. Germany finally gave people hope, but with the Netherlands it was important to consolidate it.
But Koeman’s team is doing well. Yes, they lost first place in the Euro Cup qualification to the French, but they got second place beforehand. Then we had fun in the friendly matches with Gibraltar and Scotland (aggregate score 10:0) and now we are finally a top-level rival. It is true that a detail, among other things, prevented the teams from showing perfect football. The grass at the Frankfurt stadium made a regrettable impression. Players were constantly slipping and making mistakes. But there is still time before the start of Euro 2024. It can be corrected.
The game against France seemed to convince Nagelsmann so much that he was right that the coach did not change the starting eleven at all. Although when you have two games and more than 20 people in the squad, rotation is suggested. But no, the coach knows better. And for internal confidence, the result is no less important now.
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It is true that in the fourth minute Nagelsmann was confused on the bench. After all, Germany failed. For an error by a child after an out. Depay intercepted the ball, flew into the area, shook Ta and passed the ball to Werman, who missed from an advantageous position. In fact, the answer is for France: then the Germans scored from the beginning, but now they lost.
Celebrating Holland in the match against Germany
Photo: Rico Brouwer/Getty Images
Naturally, shock. But not critical. The main thing is that the team did not panic and tried to act calmly. In general, for the Dutch themselves this dance seemed to be a surprise. For some reason, they immediately retreated and handed over the territory. Bad signal. And already in the 11th minute this idea was confirmed. Germany played a corner, the ball bounced to Mittelstedt, who shot from 20 meters with no chance for the goalkeeper. The ball hit the crossbar and entered the net.
Events really developed dynamically and the hosts continued to attack. The next opportunity was created by Musiala and Gundogan: a new pass, and the ball ended up in the hands of Ilkay, who did not shoot very well. Although the position was correct.
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After that, the chances in the first half ran out. The teams played with great intensity, trying to find something in attack, but both defenses played well. We adapt to the state of the field and try not to make mistakes.
It was the guests who began the second half more actively. And the coaches surprised us by not making any changes. For Nagelsmann, special questions arose: the feeling that these 11 players were already untouchable for him. But the rival adapted to them and looked for the weak points with all their might. In the 57th minute, an attack from the wing led to a rebound for Reynders, who shot into the sky from an advantageous position. Very soon, a hit almost helped Depay score, but instead of rolling into the gaps, he hit incomprehensibly where.
Apparently, at some point Nagelsmann had had enough. And he made a couple of double changes, but the appearance of Müller and Füllkrug was decisive. The Germans began to look much more solid in attack and create chances. Musiala and Müller had great chances, but Füllkrug scored, and with his shoulder: Verbruggen even caught the ball, but already behind the goal line. And Kroos scored the goal, the second after his return to the national team. In general, Nagelsmann’s move was a bit reminiscent of… Cherchesov. Then the former coach of the national team returned Sergei Ignashevich to the team before the 2018 World Cup, and this brought him success. Kroos was returned to Germany: will the situation be repeated?
Celebrating Füllkrug’s goal in the match against Holland
Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Holland may have had time left, but he no longer had the strength or the great desire to recover. And Germany’s second consecutive victory was more pertinent.
