BERLIN (AP) – The memory of being eliminated in the group stage of two consecutive World Cups weighs heavily on the German team as it prepares for another attempt to regain lost pride.
Surely it won’t happen again?
Four-time world champions Germany have been trying to bounce back since their victory. Disgusting exit from the 2022 World Cup In Qatar, he broke the national team’s lowest record. Hansi Flick, who was the Germany national team coach at the time, played six games after that. Give way after 3 consecutive losses.
Julian Nagelsmann took over in time for the 2024 European Championship, giving the team a fresh start with young and exciting players. host country germany, Lost to final champion Spain In the quarter-finals, Nagelsmann said there was little difference between the teams and lamented strongly that they had to wait two years to become world champions.
Nagelsmann maintained that stance despite the delay and reiterated it on Thursday. Remembering veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer His retirement from international football after two years shows a lack of belief in Oliver Bauman, who had previously suggested he would be the top scorer after his solid performance in qualifying.
Neuer is the only remaining member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning team.
calculated risk
Nagelsmann admitted that Neuer’s return was a “blow” for Baumann, who as a team player was unlikely to complain publicly about the decision. But the 40-year-old’s experience, having played 124 times for Germany, could be a boon for the team in what will be the goalkeeper’s fifth World Cup tournament.
“Everyone knows what kind of aura he has and the quality he brings to the team,” Nagelsmann said. “We don’t have a goalie problem.”
Neuer is about two years older than Nagelsmann, 38, who is playing in his first World Cup.
His addition brings the team’s average age to 27.98 years old, making it the oldest team since the 2002 World Cup under coach Rudi Ferrer, Kicker reported.
Neuer’s teammate at Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich, will be captain of the team.
The only concern is Neuer’s repeated injuries. Neuer was scheduled to miss Bayern Munich’s German Cup final against Stuttgart due to a calf injury.
Failure in the group stage again is unthinkable.
Germany’s problems in the past two World Cups began with opening losses to Mexico and Japan in Russia and Qatar, respectively.
Tournament newcomers Curaçao are unlikely to cause any surprises when they meet in Houston in the Group E opener on June 14th.
Germany will next face Ivory Coast and Ecuador, potentially more difficult rivals, but they should still have enough strength to advance from their group, especially since FIFA’s expanded tournament means 32 of the 48 participating teams will advance to the knockout stages.
Young attackers overcome defensive concerns
Germany had little trouble in World Cup qualifying, but struggled against other European powerhouses such as France, Portugal and Spain, suggesting they still have a long way to go to compete with their main rivals.
Germany conceded four goals in two friendlies against Switzerland (4-3) and Ghana (1-0) in March, and Nagelsmann’s biggest concern is defensive stability.
Jonathan Tarr and Nico Schlotterbeck formed a central defensive partnership in both games, with Bayern’s midfielder Kimmich at right-back and David Raum or Nathaniel Braun at left-back.
Serge Gnabry’s absence through injury is a blow, but Germany have plenty of attacking talent from Bayern’s Jamal Musiala and Liverpool. Florian Wirtz Coach Nagelsmann resisted calls to bring in Cologne teenager Saeed El Mara.
Bayern’s Lennart Karl is the team’s youngest player at 18 years old and is Nagelsmann’s wild card as he recovers from injury. hamstring injury Just in time for the special feature.
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