In the year of a home Euros, and with the nation previously struggling, Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany got 2024 off to a great start as they beat France 2-0 in Lyon.
Germany opened the scoring with their quickest international goal ever as on his return to the team, Toni Kroos played through Florian Wirtz to score his first ever international goal. Germany continued to dominate and doubled the lead just after halftime through Kai Havertz. Germany will now forward to a clash with rivals the Netherlands in Frankfurt on Tuesday.
The game against France also saw debuts for Stuttgart trio Maximilian Mittelstädt, who had a solid game from the start at left-back, Deniz Undav and Waldemar Anton.
On the performance of the team, Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann said (via @iMiaSanMia): “Big compliment to the team, that was very, very good. The first 25 minutes were very good. Maybe we could have scored one more goal. The kick-off was planned that way, it was excellently prepared by our set piece coach Mads Buttgereit and then was executed well. We improved again in the second half and had three or four really good chances. Even when we made subs, Deniz Undav and Maxi Mittelstädt had two great chances. In the end I’m very, very satisfied.”
The returning Kroos was one of the standout performers and drove the midfield and attack forward with his ball-playing ability. On Kroos’ performance, Nagelsmann said: “It worked outstandingly well, his performance was outstandingly good. In the overall construction with Robert Andrich, Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rüdiger, also very good with the two full-backs. The sympathetic thing about Toni is that he said from the first minute on the first phone call that he is not the sole savior. He plays more steep than cross pass, but it is his gift to know when he has to calm down. He is that liaison player we imagine.”
Finally, the DFB have recently been publically courting Nagelsman for a contract extension, on what maybe missing from a potential extension, Nagelsmann said: “An offer is the first step. I don’t want to build up any pressure either, I also told Andreas Rettig, Rudi Völler and Bernd Neuendorf that my statements on the PK should not put anyone into pressure. We have signed a contract until after the European Championship, both parties in full consciousness. It is not the case that there has to be an offer tomorrow at 9.30 p.m. But if it is available, I have to see what is in it and the idea of the employer. First of all, I want to play a maximum good European Championship, that is my main focus. Then take a look.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
