A start has been made: When national coach Julian Nagelsmann made his debut, the German national soccer team won 3-1 against the USA after a more than solid performance.
Oct 15, 2023 | 02:58 minJulian Nagelsmann celebrated a successful debut as national football coach. In the first international match under the direction of the ex-Bayern coach, the German national team beat hosts USA 3-1 (1-1) in Hartford. More important than the pure result: the German performance could not be compared with the lethargic performances of the final phase under Hansi Flick’s aegis; Nagelsmann’s style with high pressing, variable offensive play and generally courageous attacks was clearly visible. “We came back very well after the deficit. That wasn’t so easy after the last few months and the deficit,” said Nagelsmann after the game.
Football-wise it was very good.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann
Christian Pulisic gave the Americans the lead in the 27th minute, and Ilkay Gündogan equalized in the 39th minute. After the break, Niclas Füllkrug (58th) and Jamal Musiala (61st) ensured the deserved German success.
Great debut for Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann had to do without Joshua Kimmich, who had the flu, and Pascal Groß took over his role in defensive midfield. Returnee and veteran Mats Hummels was in the starting line-up, as was Füllkrug, and Gündogan led the team onto the field as captain, as he did in the most recent games against Japan (1:4) and France (2:1).
The DFB team had to survive a first moment of shock in Hartford after three minutes when Christian Pulisic appeared alone in front of Marc-Andre ter Stegen after a long strike from Weston McKennie and scored – albeit from an offside position. Apart from that, the German team defended attentively and aggressively.
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Oct 12, 2023 | 00:51 minThe offensive game lacked the ultimate conviction and accuracy in the passing game, so it became dangerous, especially after individual actions by Leroy Sane or Musiala. The two of them repeatedly won balls while pressing far ahead.
The USA, on the other hand, relied on a straightforward transition game and thus had chances: In the 9th minute, Ter Stegen had to save against Pulisic. Shortly afterwards, the most beautiful attack of the entire game: Germany combined in an exemplary manner from defense to the front, where Groß finished. His shot from 17 meters landed on the post (11th).
Opening goal by Pulisic
Things got exciting after just under half an hour: First Pulisic made an overly clumsy swoop in front of the German goal, and in return Füllkrug was denied by US keeper Matt Turner. Pulisic picked up his throw. Two passes later, Pulisic was back on the ball, moved from the left to the middle – and shot the ball into the corner (27th).
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Germany didn’t allow itself to be disturbed by the deficit and continued to press hard. The equalizer came from a quick start from Sane, who dribbled into the center from the right. After a one-two with Gündogan, Sane got stuck to Turner, but Gündogan was alert and scored to make it 1-1 (39′). In stoppage time, Sane forced an opportunity for Musiala by attacking early, but the US defense was able to block.
Füllkrug fails because of Turner
The German team got off to a good start in the second half and had several opportunities – the best defused by Turner when he deflected a shot from Füllkrug for a corner (49′). In the 58th minute Füllkrug was the luckier: after a quick, courageous combination, the Borussia Dortmund attacker used Robin Gosens’ assist to give Germany a not undeserved 2-1 lead.
A little later Füllkrug proved that he also has preparation qualities: Musiala poked his pass over the line to make it 3-1 (61st). Sane almost rewarded himself for his strong performance with a goal of his own in the 70th minute; his shot went just wide of the box.
Lineups and statistics: USA – Germany in numbers
There wasn’t much to see from the hosts after the break, apart from a header from Yunus Musah from a corner (60′). Germany mostly defended attentively and remained well organized despite several player substitutions, and the Americans’ dangerous moments of substitution in the first half were nipped in the bud.
Even if everything didn’t go smoothly, the DFB team put on a concentrated and committed performance for a long time, which resulted in a deserved victory. The first step has been taken – the Nagelsmann team now has to step up their game against Mexico on Wednesday and prove that the success against the USA was not just a flash in the pan.
2023-10-14 21:00:57
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