National football team
That’s what it’s all about for Nagelsmann against Hungary
A friendly match? Certainly not. National coach Julian Nagelsmann has already announced that he expects the right mentality from his players against Hungary at the end of the year.
Julian Nagelsmann can still create something new with the national soccer team. The DFB team has never gone undefeated in the group phase of the Nations League. Before the last game today (8:45 p.m./ZDF) in Budapest against Hungary, the record is better than ever: four wins, one draw and a splendid 17:3 goals. The national coach is aiming for an excellent end to the year.
What is this game even about?
In terms of sport, the starting position is clear. Germany is already group winner in the Nations League and will play in the quarter-finals in March for a place in the final round. Hungary is third in the group and has to go into the relegation play-offs for the B league at the start of the 2025 international year. So there is no longer any appeal there. But Nagelsmann has already made it clear: It’s not about the result, but about the way. The national coach expects the same bite and enthusiasm as in the 7-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
How does Nagelsmann approach the task?
It is rotating. That’s already clear. However, Nagelsmann did not yet want to say how fast the personnel carousel is turning. In his typical quick manner, he spoke of nine, ten or four changes to the starting eleven. One thing is certain: Alexander Nübel has a new chance in goal. Nico Schlotterbeck replaces the suspended Jonathan Tah in central defense. Nagelsmann has already revealed that Leroy Sané should get more playing time than the 30 minutes against Bosnia-Herzegovina and prove himself.
How is Hungary’s assistant coach Adam Szalai?
After collapsing during the game in the Netherlands on Saturday, former Bundesliga professional Adam Szalai was able to travel back home with the team. He is with his family and continues to recover. Nagelsmann had already been in contact with his former Hoffenheim player via cell phone message. The Hungarian association did not comment on whether Szalai could even be at the game today.
What’s next in the Nations League?
The next important date is already on Friday. Then the quarter-final pairings will be drawn in Nyon at UEFA headquarters. Germany will be assigned second place in the group, i.e. Italy, Croatia or Denmark. The game will be played on March 20th and 23rd, Germany will play away first. The winners reach the final tournament from June 4th to 8th, which the DFB would like to host.
UEFA has announced that the host will be named quickly, possibly on Friday. The association will select a quarter-final pairing from which both teams could host the final round. The game will then be played in June in the country of the winner of the game.
What is Nagelsmann doing during the long break?
There are exactly four months between the Hungary game and the first appearance in 2025. But Nagelsmann certainly doesn’t go on vacation all the time. On the contrary. The national coach has already announced that he will keep in touch with the players in order to discuss video sequences from their club games with them. Contact with the club coaches is particularly important to the 37-year-old. The national coach will definitely be drawn to his beloved mountains to relax.
dpa
Source: Stern

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