The national coach is sending personnel signals before the next Nations League games – especially in the goalkeeper position. The only newcomer in the squad is striker Kleindienst. An unlucky person at the European Championships will be rewarded.
Typical Julian Nagelsmann. The national coach continues to pursue a consistent personnel policy for the national soccer team. This fits with the commitment that the 37-year-old makes to his seriously injured goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen with a view to the 2026 World Cup. When the DFB squad with Gladbach newcomer Tim Kleindienst and celebrity returnee Serge Gnabry was nominated for the Nations League games in Bosnia-Herzegovina and against the Netherlands, there were also initial hints to Ter Stegen placeholder Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel.
Nagelsmann cemented the goalkeeper ranking when the 23-man squad was announced for the games on Friday next week in Zenica against Bosnia-Herzegovina and three days later in Munich against the fiercest group rivals Holland. “Marc is our number one – and he remains that way. He has all the time he needs from us to get healthy again,” announced the national coach on German Unity Day.
Nagelsmann reported on a conversation with Ter Stegen, who is expected to be out for at least eight months after knee surgery at FC Barcelona and the DFB team. “It’s a bitter situation for him. You wait so long to become number 1 and then you get seriously injured,” said Nagelsmann: “He seemed sad, but also composed.”
“Marc will still be able to play at a top World Cup”
The vote of confidence will be good for Ter Stegen after the many years of frustration as number 2 behind Germany’s record goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “If Marc comes back a year before the World Cup, he will still be able to play a top World Cup and have a good World Cup qualification. I assume that he will come back in top shape next summer,” said Nagelsmann.
For now, the DFB goalkeeper trio is called Baumann (34), Nübel (28) and Janis Blaswich. The 33-year-old, on loan from RB Leipzig to Red Bull Salzburg, is number one at the top Austrian club and plays in the Champions League there. Both spoke for him. Blaswich also did well, said Nagelsmann, when he was with the A team. He is the “right man” as number 3.
Baumann mission: “Olli deserves it too”
The goalkeeper duel for the temporary number 1 is Baumann versus Nübel. After an almost endless wait, Nagelsmann assured the Hoffenheimer Baumann his debut in the DFB goal in at least one of the upcoming games. “Olli had an outstanding start with many good games in the Bundesliga and the Europa League. He also deserves to get an international match,” announced Nagelsmann.
“We don’t yet know 100 percent whether one will do both,” added the 37-year-old head coach. Stuttgarter Nübel, who is on loan from FC Bayern, can hope to make his first international debut in Munich against Holland.
According to Nagelsmann, the 29-year-old small service reacted “very euphorically” to his first appointment. “It’s a dream come true for me,” said the center forward when the squad list was official. Kleindienst replaces striker Niclas Füllkrug on offense. Füllkrug continues to take a break from West Ham United with Achilles tendon problems.
After a top season in Heidenheim, Kleindienst also “made a good impact in Gladbach,” said Nagelsmann: “He works extremely hard defensively. He deserves it. It will take another two or three weeks to fill up test.”
Rüdiger and Gnabry back, Dortmund duo out
It was clear that vice-captain Antonio Rüdiger would return. “It was a precautionary measure with his knee in September. He is 100 percent fit again,” reported the national coach.
Bayern professional Gnabry will be there for the first time this year. “He really played a lot of good games,” said Nagelsmann about the 29-year-old from Munich: “Unfortunately he wasn’t there at the European Championships either. We’re looking forward to being able to rely on his qualities.”
Maximilian Beier was eliminated from the offensive line. The national coach explained that the 21-year-old had “not yet found the flow” at Borussia Dortmund. Beier should therefore get more match practice with the U21 team.
Nagelsmann also deleted BVB captain Emre Can (30). The future of the World Cup in defensive midfield belongs to the younger Aleksandar Pavlovic (20/Bayern Munich) and Angelo Stiller (23/VfB Stuttgart).
Source: Stern
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