Julian Nagelsmann’s training group is slowly taking shape. After goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, other regular European Championship players are expected in Thuringia. Three champions and the captain are coming.
Manuel Neuer arrived in the evening. After the number one, Julian Nagelsmann can also look forward to the arrival of four other professionals who are scheduled to be regular players for the European Football Championship.
Captain Ilkay Gündogan is travelling from FC Barcelona to join the national team and the three Leverkusen double winners Florian Wirtz, Robert Andrich and Jonathan Tah are also expected in Blankenhain. The preparations for the European Championship are thus gaining further momentum.
Robert Andrich
The “worker” is coming. After winning the championship title and the cup, Leverkusen’s sweeper had a tattoo of the trophies on his calf. Nagelsmann promoted the 29-year-old to Toni Kroos’s side after his debut in November. The national coach sees the robust number six as the long-missed sweeper who does not bow down to big names and who also sets off a stir.
Jonathan Tah
Under Bayer coach Xabi Alonso, the central defender with a mighty stature took a career step that was not thought possible. Once often too clumsy, Tah is now a constant in the DFB defense – this ultimately cost Mats Hummels his starting place and his ticket to the European Championships. The European Championships will be a test of maturity for the 28-year-old. He has played 23 international matches, none of which were at a major tournament.
Florian Wirtz
Nagelsmann’s “magician” could really use a few days of rest after celebrating the title with Leverkusen. The season was not only successful, but also long and exhausting for the 21-year-old. Most recently, he was hampered by a horse’s kiss. The fans’ expectations of him and the still-injured Jamal Musiala will be high. If Wirtz gets going, he can become a great tournament hero.
Ilkay Gundogan
The quiet captain is on board. Three days after the end of the season with Barcelona, the 33-year-old will arrive in Thuringia. He will be a quiet leader, demonstrating his authority on the pitch. Many people attribute the leadership role to returning players Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller or his predecessor Neuer. At least Gündogan has been spared the trouble of his armband in Qatar. He will wear the standard UEFA armband at the European Championships.
Manuel Neuer
The gastrointestinal infection has been overcome. The Bayern goalkeeper has already spent the first night in the Blankenhain golf hotel. And the 38-year-old is ready for his comeback in the national jersey next Monday against Ukraine. His last international match to date was the 4:2 win against Costa Rica in the World Cup knockout in Qatar. Nagelsmann named him number one for the European Championship back in March, and the national coach is not changing that.
Source: Stern
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