Dortmund – With a fast hand motion, Antonio Rüdiger put apart an odd flight. Zack. Drawback solved. Jannik Vestergaard had beforehand watched the unusual sight of Rüdiger’s celebration after a final minute save in Germany’s penalty space within the final leg of the European Championship spherical of 16.
Whether or not it was small animals flying within the interview zone or the Danish defensive giants on the pitch: no person needed to mess with Germany’s defensive boss on that stormy afternoon in Dortmund.
Rüdiger crossed. Rüdiger blocked. And Rüdiger took the trophy as finest participant in a 2-0 win. The award was a collective honor for the complete German protection, particularly the central protection with Rüdiger and his new companion Nico Schlotterbeck. Within the case of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the BVB defender was the “Secret Man of the Match”. Schlotterbeck was undoubtedly an enormous winner.
“The reality is he performed very nicely. “I’m very comfortable for him too, that he performed so nicely in his residence stadium and did the job completely,” mentioned nationwide coach Julian Nagelsmann. Schlotterbeck perfected with a 90 % cross charge. He’ll now not need to ask questions on his poor efficiency within the World Cup in 2022. Rüdiger is nice with a one hundred pc sort out charge. He stood agency, as if there was little doubt about his health for per week after a hamstring pressure.
Nagelsmann sees a “luxurious scenario”
After reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championship, the query inevitably arose as to what would occur to the suspended Jonathan Tah, who had shone defensively within the first three video games of the European Championship. Nagelsmann doesn’t observe such a fast motivation in his function within the European Championship. “It is not a simple resolution, however each participant is aware of what is required and what their function is. “You may select between superb gamers,” mentioned the nationwide coach. “I additionally keep in mind very robust video games from Jonathan Tah,” emphasised the 36-year-old. It has a “luxurious scenario”.
For Neuer, the choice of who performs centrally in entrance of him is irrelevant. The focus should stay on the highest stage. “We had been additionally very fortunate within the essential conditions,” he mentioned after the show of energy towards Denmark. “Now we have to work arduous to guard this zero.”
Higher than the 2014 World Cup win
Neuer needed to smile when requested after the sport in regards to the footballing knowledge {that a} robust protection wins in tournaments. “Sure, that’s true.” Actually, the DFB staff is in higher form on the again than it has been in a very long time. Conceding two objectives after 4 video games was additionally the results of the wonderful summer season of 2006. On the way in which to World Cup victory in Brazil in 2014, three objectives had been conceded towards such a decent protection at this level within the competitors. .
Neuer has solely been higher at one event in his lengthy profession: on the 2016 European Championships, he went into the quarter-finals with out conceding a objective. “I hope it continues like this. We do not concede a lot, we’re regular on the again,” mentioned the goalkeeper after his nineteenth European Championship sport, making him the one DFB document participant in continental competitions.
Defensive celebration like a objective
Rüdiger likes that the emphasis was on protection after the conflict towards Denmark, the place full-backs Joshua Kimmich and David Raum had been additionally decided. “There may be a whole lot of discuss strikers at a event. However it is very important preserve a clear sheet at this stage of the competitors. Now we have to have a good time each motion,” mentioned the Champions League winner from Actual Madrid.
Talking of anniversaries: Vestergaard wasn’t the one one stunned by his fully remoted German opponent within the loopy remaining set. “I am an emotional participant on the pitch. It was an vital block, it was like a objective,” mentioned Rüdiger.