EURO 2024 Team Guide - Group A - Germany
Zack Oaten gives us an insight into the hosts, one of the favourites on paper despite, according to FIFA's World Ranking system, being just the 16th best side in the world.
Country:
Germany
FIFA World Ranking:
16th
Qualification Record:
As Germany are hosting the tournament they did not have to play any qualification games.
Group:
A
Highest Ever Euros Finish:
Champions – 1996, 1980, 1972
Previous Euros Appearances:
13
Top International Goal Scorer (in Squad):
Thomas Muller (45)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alex Nubel (Stuttgart), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
The Gaffer:
Julian Nagelsmann (appointed in 2023)
Gaffer Bio
Nicknamed the 'Baby Mourinho' early in his coaching career, Julian Nagelsmann has shown he's very much his own man after impressing pundits and fans alike across a range of German sides including RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim and most recently Bayern Munich.
Nagelsmann started his playing career at FC Augsburg and 1860 Munich but suffered a plethora of injuries which kept him on the sidelines. He returned to Augsburg in the 2007-08 season where he was coached under Thomas Tuchel, however he injured his knee and meniscus for the second time, damaging the cartilage which led to him end his career at just 20 years old.
The German did not give up on football though as he returned to 1860 Munich as an assistant for their u17 side, then helped coach youth sides including the Hoffenheim U19 which he led to the 2013–14 Under 19 Bundesliga title. This feat earned him the job as head coach at Hoffenheim who obviously saw potential in him as they this move made him the youngest coach in Bundesliga history.
Under Nagelsmann Hoffenheim evolved from a relegation candidate to a Europa League side in just one year which attracted the eyes of RB Leipzig who snapped him up in 2018. Nagelsmann became the youngest coach to win a Champions League match and not only took Leipzig into its first knockout phase in history but took his side all the way to the Semi Finals where he faced PSG managed by his former boss Thomas Tuchel and lost 3-0.
He's interestingly the youngest coach to reach the final four, surpassing Didier Deschamps' previous record of 35 years. Amazingly he did this by knocking out Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone, who actually made his senior debut as a player the year Nagelsmann was born. After such an impressive record, Bayern Munich swooped in for his services as he signed a 5 year deal with the Bundesliga Champions.
Nagelsmann won the 2021/22 Bundesliga title with 3 games to spare but was sacked just one season later despite being in the job for just 19 months. Many blamed his lack of replacement for Robert Lewandowski, change in tactical style to be more centre focused rather than wing play plus his poor relationship with Manuel Neuer as the main reasons for his sacking. Bayern replaced him with Nagelsmann’s former coach, Tuchel who has since parted ways with the club after just one season.
Who Could Do with Him?
There are not too many top clubs around Europe without a stable manager at the moment but the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and it may seem ironic to say but even Bayern Munich could do with a manager as talented as Nagelsmann. Bayern will regret sacking the 36-year-old after Tuchel’s disastrous season and that is why they have been desperately searching for a new boss ever since.
United and Chelsea need somebody who can bring stability, structure and ambition to their sides which is something neither side has had in recent years. Nagelsmann has proven himself at every club he has been at, but his speciality is taking those lacklustre, struggling sides to the next level and that is exactly what Chelsea an United have desired for years now.
Formation / Style of Play:
4-2-3-1
Nagelsmann is known for his versatility with formations however since joining the German side he has played the 4-2-3-1 formation 4 out of his 6 games in charge. He also played a 4-4-2 against the USA and a 4-2-2-2 against Turkey but it is very likely the Germans will line up with the 4-2-3-1 style.
This is because it dedicates many players to attacking positions, meaning the formation boasts an ease of transitions. It also means that the defence can easily change to 6 at the back with the likes of Robert Andrich and Illkay Gundogan which can lessen the threat of counter attacks and allow easy control of possession which is vital in international tournaments.
Strengths
One of Germany’s biggest strengths is the balance of experienced players with young, ambitious talents who have shined in Europe this year. Veteran players such as Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Antonio Rudiger and Illkay Gundogan will be joining forces with fresh faces such as Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Musiala and Wirtz are standout players here with them both being two of the brightest talents in Europe this season as Wirtz led his team, Bayer Leverkusen to a domestic double for the first time in its history whilst Musiala has been world class for a number of years despite him being just 21.
These two players will make any other side envious as they have the ability to decide the game on their own and with them both likely to play alongside either Muller or Nicholas Fullkrug up top it is almost certain that goals flow during in what should be an exciting tournament for the Germans.
Weaknesses
Ask any German what the biggest weakness of their side is in this tournament and they will say defending. Even Nagelsmann himself said there are no “defending monsters” in his side which is most likely why he has chosen a formation where the side can revert to 6 players at the back that can reduce defensive duties and relieve the pressure on the back four.
This German side seem to leak goals, in Nagelsmann’s 6 friendlies in charge the side kept just one clean sheet and conceded 9 goals in total. It is hard to find a truly world class defender in the Germany squad, Antonio Rudiger and this seasons Jonathan Tah are debatable but Rudiger is a different player when he takes off the Real Madrid shirt and Tah has only had one great season to his name.
Defence is something Nagelsmann will be looking to improve the most ahead of the tournament as without a strong backline the tournament may as well be forfeited.
Player to Watch:
Florian Wirtz –
After an incredible season with Bayer Leverkusen, bagging 18 goals and 19 assists in 49 games Wirtz is not only a player to watch for Germany but a player to watch for the whole tournament. There is a reason this man was named Bundesliga player of the season as well as the UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season – he is phenomenal. Despite his age he has shown immense maturity throughout this season and that along with his skill and deadly finishing makes him the one to watch for Germany.
One for the future:
Jamal Musiala -
Despite being the same age as Wirtz, Musiala is 3 months younger which makes him the one for the future in Germany’s side. After deciding to represent his birth nation instead of England in 2021, Musiala has revitalised a Germany side that was in dire need of youth and fresh energy. The 21-year-old already has 4 Bundesliga titles to his name and has quickly become a fan favourite at Bayern Munich where he continues to impress. Musiala’s dribbling, speed and agility make him a force to be reckoned with as we have seen in recent years and as he grows so will his ability which could match some of the best players the world has ever seen in the near future.
Unlucky to miss out:
Mats Hummels –
Many were shocked to not see Mats Hummels on the list of players heading to the tournament after what was a great season for him at Borussia Dortmund. Hummels was pivotal in taking his side deep into the Champions League as his side defeated the likes of PSG, Atletico Madrid and escaped the group of death to defy all the odds and reach the final. Many believe the main issue with Hummels is his age as he turned 35 years old in December. However Rudiger is 31, Kroos is 34, Gundogan is 33 and Muller is 34. Age is clearly not an issue for this Germany side and the experience Hummels would have brought could have helped massively.
Likely line up:
Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Kroos; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
Fixtures:
Matchday 1 – Germany vs Scotland – 14th June
Matchday 2 – Germany vs Hungary – 19th June
Matchday 3 – Germany vs Switzerland 23rd June
Verdict:
After years of disappointment, Nagelsmann has rejuvenated a Germany side with a blend of fantastic youth talents with hardened, experienced players to create a well-rounded squad. There is mixed sense of optimism and pessimism amongst German fans as despite the new era of talents and tournament being on home soil, the results of previous years still haunt this side.
Germany should finish top of their group and go onto at least the Quarter Finals, from there anything could happen but what is certain is that this squad has something to prove as it rallies its home fans and attempts to avenge the results of previous tournaments.
Zack Oaten (@zackoaten1)