National League quarter-finals: Nagelsmann bypasses “title announcement” in front of the Italy-Kracher

Before the big quarter-final duel with Italy, national coach Julian Nagelsmann once again emphasized the importance of a profit from the Nations League on the way to the 2026 World Cup. The 37-year-old avoided the DFB fear opponent before the first leg on Thursday (8:45 p.m./ARD) in Milan before the first leg on Thursday (8:45 p.m./ARD.

“I don’t make an announcement of the title. We have an extremely strong opponent with Italy that we have to beat first,” said Nagelsmann after the national team arrived in Milan.

Rüdiger: “Title is title”

Defense chief Antonio Rüdiger said at the press conference in the Giuseppe-Mazza Stadium at the importance of the Nations League: “We all licked blood. Title is title!” The former AS Rome player reminded of the special history of both football nations. “This rivalry already exists, I wasn’t born yet,” said 32-year-old Rüdiger. “I expect a very difficult opponent.”

Nagelsmann announced a brave appearance in the first duel. “We don’t want to tact. In general, we go in so that we want to win both games.” The second leg takes place only three days later in Dortmund. In the event of a success, the DFB would be host of the Final Four finals at the beginning of June. The DFB team would then meet Denmark or Portugal in the semifinals on June 4 in Munich.

No extra print on Musiala

After the failures of Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Niclas Füllkrug in the offensive burdens against Italy even more expectations for Bayern-Jungstar Jamal Musiala. “I don’t give him responsibility and pressure than usual,” said Nagelsmann: “Jamal should play what he enjoys.”

“Millimeter decision” for Baumann

On the eve of the first leg, Nagelsmann confirmed that Hoffenheimer Oliver Baumann would be in the goal in both games. The national coach spoke of “a millimeter decision” in internal competition with the Stuttgart Alexander Nübel. “It was a bit more consistency at Olli. But it wasn’t a super crystal -clear decision.” And it initially applies exclusively “for these two games”. He did not provide any further information about the starting line -up.