Germany has scored eight goals in the group stage, none of them from set pieces. Although Toni Kroos takes most of the corners and free kicks, the work of the set piece coach, who has a special relationship with round of 16 opponents Denmark, is not bearing fruit.
Since 2016, it has been permitted in football to play the ball backwards during kick-off. It has become standard to make use of this rule change in the first set piece of a game.
When the German national football team was ready for the second group match at EURO 2024 against Hungary, it looked as if the ball was going to be played backwards, because Kai Havertz and İlkay Gündoğan were looking towards their own goal at the center. But then Havertz pulled the ball back with the sole of his foot and thus forwards, and four other players sprinted off.
Wirtz’ designed goal after kick-off
Toni Kroos indicated how the attack was planned: “We wanted to play flat through.” The plan failed because Gündoğan played a bad pass that almost resulted in a very early deficit.
However, it is obvious that the first attack was planned on the tactics board. Ever since Germany took the lead with a planned move after eight seconds in the friendly against France, it has been clear that Mads Buttgereit has already come up with something for the kick-off.
Mads Buttgereit – Nagelsmann’s expert for standards
Buttgereit is one of the assistants to national coach Julian Nagelsmann, his area of expertise is set pieces, both offensive and defensive.
Mads Buttgereit at the standard meeting with Niclas Füllkrug
Before the round of 16 on Saturday (June 29, 2024) against Denmark, Buttgereit is receiving more attention than usual. However, this is less due to many good chances, goals or goals conceded from set pieces, but rather to Buttgereit’s origins and past.
Still on the Danish coaching staff at the 2021 European Championship
The mother of the 39-year-old Buttgereit is Danish, he grew up partly in Denmark, studied Danish, played and trained in Denmark, and was assistant to the Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand at the 2021 European Championships. The team made it to the semifinals, but then lost to England, who had already eliminated Germany in the round of 16.
Nagelsmann: “Mads prepared this brilliantly”
After the tournament, Buttgereit, who says of set pieces that they are “so cool”, changed associations. The then new national coach Hansi Flick brought him to the German Football Association (DFB), and after scoring a goal from a set piece in the first few games, Buttgereit received more attention.
In the meantime, however, it became quiet until the “Goal of the Month” for March 2024, Florian Wirtz’s goal after eight seconds in France. “Mads prepared that outstandingly,” Nagelsmann praised his assistant.
Highlight World Cup 2014
The offensive German set pieces at the 2024 European Championship have so far been ineffective. They are usually carried out by Toni Kroos, who played a key role in winning the title at the 2014 World Cup. The tournament in Brazil was outstanding in terms of German effectiveness in corner kicks and free kicks.
In the Champions League final, the comparatively small Dani Carvajal took advantage of a corner from Kroos to give Real Madrid the lead against Borussia Dortmund.
The only thing that stands out in the memory of the European Championships in Germany is a corner kick from the match against Hungary, which Robert Andrich took directly at the far post. The shot flew towards the goal, but was blocked.
Buttgereit: “Standards can change everything”
Especially in close games, says Buttgereit, a set piece can “change everything”. In the last Bundesliga season, a quarter of all goals were scored from set pieces, while at the European Championships the figure has so far been just 19 percent.
So far, Denmark’s matches at EURO 2024 have not only been close, but have also ended in a draw. The 0-0 draw against Serbia was preceded by two 1-1 draws against Slovenia and England. Slovenia’s goal came from a deflected long-range shot by Morten Hjulmand, which had been preceded by a corner kick.
Germany has also conceded a goal from a set piece. Antonio Rüdiger scored an own goal with a header against Scotland after a free kick from Andrew Robertson flew past several defenders and through the penalty area.
In attack, the Danes scored one goal from a set piece. Christian Eriksen scored it after a throw-in that Jonas Wind passed on with his heel. The concept could have come from Mads Buttgereit. Perhaps it did.
