National soccer team: In Baumann’s socks: Nagelsmann now wants first place

Before the last home game of the European Championship year, Julian Nagelsmann was once again talking about fashion questions after a long time. The style-conscious national coach talked about his socks. And for a funny reason. At the national soccer team’s press conference, the 37-year-old said that he was currently wearing socks that goalkeeper Oliver Baumann had once given him as a farewell gift from TSG Hoffenheim – in a pack of eight.

Nagelsmann said he took them out of the closet “by chance.” The Baumann sitting next to him wasn’t just smiling because of the guarantee for the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday (8.45 p.m./RTL) in his old hometown of Freiburg.

This should not affect the concentration for the first part of the showdown in the group stage of the Nations League. Wrapped up snugly in his black training jacket, Nagelsmann had an intense look at his players during the last practice session. Who is fit and who might need a little break in the strenuous football autumn? That’s what the final training session was all about, which the injured regular goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen also watched with interest as a star guest.

Willingness to compromise only until kick-off

Good news: Florian Wirtz is fit, at least for part-time work. “As of today he will be able to play. We don’t know whether it will be enough for 90 minutes,” said Nagelsmann in the Europa Park Stadium. Wirtz had an upset stomach. The Leverkusen player therefore only started team training on Thursday.

The DFB head coach had promised the club trainers from Munich to Dortmund a detailed fitness test. When the ball rolls against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nagelsmann’s willingness to compromise for his Bundesliga colleagues will be over again. Whoever stands on the lawn has to deliver.

Only that corresponds to the ambition of the national coach, who once admitted that he couldn’t even lose to his son in a board game. For Nagelsmann, it’s not just about this one last home game in the European Championship year. The positive mood among the national football team should be taken with us.

Group victory for self-image

Wins in a row bring the self-image that makes you suitable for a title. This is how the 37-year-old put it using the examples of Spain (European champions) and Argentina (world champions). A win against Bosnia-Herzegovina with top strikers Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic, who are well known in the Bundesliga, guarantees first place after the preliminary round of the Nations League. “We want to win the group after reaching the quarter-finals early,” said Nagelsmann and added: “If possible in Freiburg.”

The end of the year in Breisgau and three days later in Budapest against Hungary is a milestone for the national coach. The two-stage plan envisages: Nations League final in 2025, World Cup triumph in 2026. “Getting into the Final Four for the first time is an important interim goal for us next year on the way to the World Cup,” said Nagelsmann. In 2025 there will no longer be any concessions to club coaches.

The staff follows the national coach, grateful for the clarity with which he ended the constant sadness after the World Cup disaster in Qatar and the subsequent final phase under Hansi Flick as national coach. “Everyone knows what they have to do,” said Joshua Kimmich, formulating a simple-sounding concept. The captain represents the desire for the title like no other. “We want to compete with the biggest. We want to win every competition we take part in.”

It is thanks to Nagelsmann that this no longer sounds absurd. Nine wins, three draws and only one defeat in the European Championship quarter-finals against Spain are an impressive annual result. The fans are happy again. Of course, the Europa Park Stadium is sold out with almost 28,000 spectators for the DFB competitive game premiere in Freiburg.

In the Nations League, which is now seen as important, the starting position is so comfortable that winning the group would be perfect even with a defeat against the so far winless bottom team Bosnia-Herzegovina. For this to happen, the Netherlands and Hungary would have to play a draw at the same time. Taking such eventualities into account is of course out of the question for Nagelsmann.

How long does Wirtz’s power last?

Despite all assurances, he will of course find the best possible starting eleven formation. Jamal Musiala is fit again after the October break and is at his best. Wirtz has recovered from his infection. Kai Havertz is also set offensively.

Candidates have to prove themselves. This applies to Tim Kleindienst as a striker or Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané or Chris Führich, who are more interested in speed and technique. Deniz Undav, double goalscorer in the 2-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica five weeks ago, is out because of his thigh strain.

A decision has been made for the goal. Baumann can demonstrate his skills as a placeholder for ter Stegen a second time in his old hometown of Freiburg. Alexander Nübel will be back against Hungary on Tuesday (8:45 p.m./ZDF) in Budapest. As a training visitor, Ter Stegen was able to relax and chat with the team doctors. Nobody is shaking his status yet. From March, Nagelsmann wants to decide on a permanent deputy. There will no longer be any compromises in the knockout phase of the Nations League anyway.