Vor dem letzten Heimspiel des EM-Jahres ging es bei Julian Nagelsmann nach langer Zeit mal wieder um Modefragen. Der stilbewusste Bundestrainer sprach über seine Socken. Und das aus einem lustigen Grund. Bei der Pressekonferenz der Fußball-Nationalmannschaft erzählte der 37-Jährige, er trage gerade Strümpfe, die ihm Torwart Oliver Baumann einst als Abschiedsgeschenk bei der TSG Hoffenheim mit auf den Weg gegeben hatte – in einem Achterpack.
„Zufällig“ habe er diese aus dem Schrank nun mitgenommen, sagte Nagelsmann. Der neben ihm sitzende Baumann lächelte also nicht nur ob der Einsatzgarantie für die Partie gegen Bosnien-Hercegovina an diesem Samstag (20.45 Uhr im F.A.Z.-Liveticker zur Nations League und bei RTL) in seiner alten Heimat Freiburg.
Der Konzentration für den ersten Teil des Showdowns in der Gruppenphase der Nations League sollte dies keinen Abbruch tun. Mollig eingepackt in seine schwarze Trainingsjacke hatte Nagelsmann bei der letzten Übungseinheit einen intensiven Blick auf seine Spieler. Wer ist fit, wer braucht im anstrengenden Fußball-Herbst eventuell eine kleine Pause? Darum ging es beim Abschlusstraining, das auch der verletzte Stammtorwart Marc-André ter Stegen als Stargast interessiert verfolgte.
Kompromissbereitschaft nur bis Anpfiff
Eine gute Nachricht: Florian Wirtz ist fit, zumindest für einen Teilzeiteinsatz. „Stand heute wird er spielen können. Ob es für 90 Minuten reicht, wissen wir nicht“, sagte Nagelsmann im Europa-Park-Stadion. Wirtz habe eine Magenverstimmung gehabt. Der Leverkusener war deshalb erst am Donnerstag ins Teamtraining eingestiegen.
Eine genaue Fitness-Prüfung hatte der DFB-Chefcoach den Klubtrainern von München bis Dortmund versprochen. Wenn der Ball gegen Bosnien-Herzegowina rollt, hat es sich mit der Kompromissbereitschaft für die Bundesliga-Kollegen für Nagelsmann aber auch wieder erledigt. Wer auf dem Rasen steht, muss liefern.
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.
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 success against Bosnia-Hercegovina with the 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.”
German fans are happy again
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 enter.”
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-Hercegovina. 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-Hercegovina 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 in Budapest against Hungary on Tuesday (8:45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on ZDF). 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.
