Under pressure to win after a shock 2-0 loss against Slovakia, Germany hosted Northern Ireland knowing that a win was utterly non negotiable. Anything else would be a total failure of epic proportions. And Germany did the job, sealing a difficult, unconvincing and yet ultimately comfortable victory. Here are some observations:
The goodwill is truly gone for Germany and Julian Nagelsmann
There was a time in which Julian Nagelsmann was the hero of the nation. Hansi Flick had just led the the team to a series of infamous defeat after infamous defeat and was sacked
just months before the country hosted the 2024 European Championship. And this after Germany had been knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage. Again. Nagelsmann had a huge task on his hands. But he did well, coming in, immediately running things differently to Flick, giving Germany fans a measure of hope again and leading Germany to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Maybe a quarterfinal exit is not a success for Germany historically, but in the context of recent tournaments it absolutely was. And so Nagelsmann enjoyed such goodwill that he received two contract extensions, first to 2026 and then even t0 2028, with fans celebrating the news.
But that goodwill is well and truly gone now, just about a year after the 2024 EUROs. It was clear to experience as fans tore into Germany during their loss to Slovakia, but anger at a loss is a natural reaction from fans. The true extent of the anger of the fans hit home during halftime of Germany’s game with Northern Ireland, though. Locked at 1-1, having produced just two shots so far, Germany were subject to intense boos and forced to walk off with their heads held low.
After having come so far, Nagelsmann will need to repeat the process all over again. What happened?
Nagelsmann tinkers
When Nagelsmann came in to replaced Bayern Munich sextuple winner Hansi Flick, he was hardly bringing a greater pedigree to the table — nor was he a more proven winner, nor did he have a closer relationship with the squad. But he made the right adjustments. Knowing he had just months before the home 2024 European Championship started, Nagelsmann made several early decisions and stuck with them. He cut out underperforming stars, re-introduced a performance principle, which gave numerous players their national team debut, and he stuck with a consistent group of players. Gone was the much maligned midfield duo of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka (and Goretzka was even left out of the squad altogether), with Toni Kroos making a sensational return and being partnered by fresh faces. Jamal Musiala became the focal point of the attack, with Wirtz slowly developing into a second focal point. Kimmich was returned to right-back. There was consistency all over the pitch. Everybody knew the 13 most important players in the team, the style of play and the formation of the team, as only the right wing and left-back positions were ever open to debate as Germany fought to the quarterfinals of the Euros.
But Nagelsmann has always been known as a tinkerer. And it seems the aforementioned consistency was the exception, not the new rule. Kimmich has meanwhile been returned to midfield, with Goretzka partnering him against Slovakia. Kroos is gone again and Nagelsmann has refused to commit to any kind of succession plan, bouncing between the likes of Pascal Groß, Angelo Stiller, Aleksandar Pavlović and Goretzka in the midfield pivot. Players are being brought in, left out again, refitted, re-jigged into different formations and more. Today’s three at the back formation saw yet another curveball be thrown. If Nagelsmann is to succeed, making some big decisions and stick with them.
Hope is not lost
Nagelsmann finds himself in a similar situation to which he found himself after taking the job. Less than a year is left until the team needs to be ready for a major tournament, the team is in bad spirits and the results are really bad. But Nagelsmann did a good job of rescuing Germany from the fire just two years ago. He can do so again. He just needs to go back to what worked: Making strong, confident early decisions and sticking with them.
Still, that is not all.
Too many of Nagelsmann’s early progress seems to be gone now, but the win against Northern Ireland revealed some shoots of moving forward. It is fitting that Nadiem Amiri would score the game winner. Amiri was deemed as not important by Bayer Leverkusen, but took the brave leap and completely revitalized his career at Mainz. Still, giving a 28-year-old his Germany debut was a risky move that truly paid off for Nagelsmann. So, it must have been satisfying for the Germany manager to see Amiri chase a seemingly hopeless cause and be in the right place to score that crucial second goal. Nagelsmann needs to keep an open mind for fresh talent to make an impact.
But he will also need to rely on his new stars. Florian Wirtz endured an underwhelming performance, disappearing as the going got tough. But he reappeared to score a phenomenal free kick and seal the win for Germany. He may have only been a regular starter for about a year now, but Nagelsmann needs to trust his new core group. Stick with Wirtz, stick with the new guys who are fighting to make a name for themselves. It is no guarantee for success, but it should be enough to grant Germany fans a glimmer of hope again.
Wow…Germany was on the ropes vs. Northern Ireland, but a strong second half effort helped Julian Nagelsmann’s team pull away for a 3-1 victory.
It was ugly at times and desperate at others, but this was somehow a must win match for a squad that was absolutely reeling after getting stomped out by Slovakia earlier in the week. The Germans absolutely needed this victory and it could have been disastrous had things not turned around in the latter stages of the game.
Let’s get into it. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:
- A look at the starting XI.
- A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
- Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
