The national coach’s dream eleven for the European Football Championship has been decided after the successful games in March. However, the team will not be complete in the penultimate test against Ukraine.
Julian Nagelsmann’s dream team for the European Championship is basically already set. But in the national football team’s penultimate friendly match against Ukraine in Nuremberg this evening (8.45 p.m./ARD) the national coach will fill three positions differently than in the groundbreaking victories in March against France (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-1).
Returning Manuel Neuer will stand in goal for Marc-André ter Stegen. And Waldemar Anton and Pascal Groß will play for Champions League winners Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger, who will only join the DFB team the day after the penultimate European Championship test. The latter also set out the plan for the 90 minutes in the Max-Morlock Stadium: “We want to stay on the winning track.” And thus further increase the anticipation of the European Championship in the country.
Neuer’s DFB comeback after 18 months
A year and a half ago, Bayern captain Neuer was last in goal for the DFB at the botched World Cup in Qatar. After his complicated leg fracture at the end of 2022, he will now play his 118th international match. And the 2014 world champion will want and need to prove that the national coach was right to name him number one for the home tournament.
Nagelsmann fended off criticism of Neuer’s performance at FC Bayern in the final stretch of the season. “I think he played a good, stable season after what he did. I have a lot of faith in him because he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world, in terms of football, but also in terms of keeping the ball,” Nagelsmann explained. The national coach dares to make this prediction: “Manu will play a very good European Championship, I’m sure of that.”
Waldemar Anton, the man behind Rüdiger and Tah
Nagelsmann is relying on Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah in central defence. Behind them is 27-year-old Anton, who played a key role in VfB Stuttgart’s runner-up season. In his second international match against Ukraine, Anton will be in the starting line-up for the first time, alongside Leverkusen double winner Tah.
“What sets Waldemar apart for me is that he is a real defender, but also has really good offensive moves. He is a really good footballer who loves to defend. You don’t find too many of them in that position anymore,” explained Nagelsmann. Anton is “a touch” ahead of Frankfurt’s Robin Koch in the European Championship squad, noted the national coach: “He played an incredibly strong season at VfB.”
The man under the radar: Kroos is great
How do you do a Toni Kroos? “That won’t be possible,” answered Pascal Groß. The 32-year-old Brighton professional is supposed to represent Kroos in midfield as best as possible, setting the pace and directing the game. The latecomer doesn’t want to imitate Kroos in only his sixth international match, but simply wants to be Groß on the pitch. “I trust in my strengths and try to help the team with my strengths and replace Toni well.”
Nagelsmann believes the strong team player is up to the task. “Pascal is an outstanding player. He was under the radar for far too long for what he can do,” said Nagelsmann. Prediction: “I’m sure Pascal will play an outstanding game.”
Tournament debutant Groß accepts the challenger role behind the established European Championship duo Kroos/Andrich without complaint. “I will train at full throttle every day for the time when I am needed. I am full of pride and also grateful here,” he said.
Source: Stern
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