2024-09-07 02:11:28
After the European Championship at home, Germany will continue in the Nations League. At the press conference, national coach Nagelsmann talks about the preparation – and is clear.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann has reacted angrily to the criticism of his World Cup announcement. “I find the statements of one or two experts questionable. When a coach says he wants to become world champion – I think it’s crazy that that is being criticized,” said Nagelsmann at the final press conference before the Nations League opener on Saturday (8.45 p.m./ZDF) against Hungary in Düsseldorf.
After the unfortunate quarter-final exit at the European Championships at home against Spain (1:2 after extra time), Nagelsmann had set the 2026 World Cup title as his goal. “Did it put you under pressure when I said we want to become world champions?” he asked Pascal Groß, who was sitting next to him, on Friday evening – who said no. The exchange caused laughter in the group.
First of all, Nagelsmann wants to transfer the momentum from the EURO to the Nations League. “I do believe that the first game after the European Championship is very important to keep the fans on board for the next two years,” said Nagelsmann, who does not expect “a long start-up phase” despite the retirements of Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gündoğan and Thomas Müller.
The complete press conference can be read in the ticker:
5.50 p.m.: This concludes the press conference on Friday evening.
17:49: What does the term “home” mean to Nagelsmann? “A feeling of well-being, of arriving, of contentment, of familiarity, where you know where the baker is, where the butcher is, where the bus stop is. I think feeling good describes it best. Where you like to be the most, where you also welcome people. But: I feel at home in many places, even if it is not my home.”
17:47: t-online national team reporter Noah Platschko asks about the pressure of the increasingly tight schedule. Nagelsmann says: “It’s always a question of what you want as fans, as associations, as FIFA, as UEFA. The tendency is that the big clubs can of course continue to buy the good players who don’t need much time to get used to things,” the squads could therefore better shoulder the increasing pressure.
But: For clubs like VfB Stuttgart, that would be more difficult. “If you don’t always complain that football isn’t getting more attractive and that you’re playing more for results, then it’s good. NBA players also have a lot of games, but they have breaks in between. I’m quite happy with how football is and was, and I don’t need 20 more games. But I’m not the decision maker.”
Groß emphasises: “I need the competition. If you look at Spain, Argentina or Italy, they were always successful even before the big tournaments. That is also why we take the Nations League seriously. Of course, you have to manage it too. There is rotation from time to time, it is also a collaboration between players and coaches.”
17:43: Groß about the two new players Angelo Stiller and Aleksandar Pavlović: “They don’t have to learn anything, they are two very good players who will go their own way.”
17:41: Nagelsmann on Groß’ qualities and his value to the team council: “He always has an eye for the ball in depth. He is not afraid of receiving balls. He also had a good coach at Brighton recently when it comes to creating space. Pascal is very reflective, he not only watches his own games, but also many other games. There is always a good exchange with him. He always talks a lot, even at the European Championships, where he didn’t play much, that speaks for him.” And he continued: “I’m happy for you that you’re playing tomorrow.”
17:38: Nagelsmann attacks critics of his ambitious statements: “I actually find the statements of some experts questionable. When a coach says he wants to become world champion – I think it’s crazy that that is criticized. I want to see the headlines when I say after the European Championship: ‘I don’t want to become world champion either. I didn’t care about European champions, and I don’t care about world champions either.'”
Then he turns to Groß: “Did it put you under pressure that I said we want to become world champions?” Groß says no with a smile. Nagelsmann: “Then I’m relieved.”