The FIFA World Cup brought to the forefront super-sub drama once again in the game between Germany and Ivory Coast. With his country down by a goal, Deniz Undav’s late game heroics rescued Julian Nagelsmann and his men. The brace from Undav sealed a 2-1 victory for the Germans, who have qualified to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
Undav has only featured in two cameos in the final thirty minutes. However considered the sheer impact he has had, Julian Nagelsmann
was faced with question of whether Undav should be in Germany’s starting lineup. “It’s possible. But he’s doing very well in his current role. It can go in both directions,” answered the German coach, not committing to change the current dynamic of Undav’s role as a super-sub.
The opening couple of games have been very different for Julian Nagelsmann and Germany. The dominating performance against Curaçao could not be replicated against Emerse Faé his well trained and disciplined Côte d’Ivoire side. Deniz Undav brought the much needed structure to the German attack that Kai Havertz could not.
Undav’s burst of acceleration, natural proclivity to play with his back to the goal and sneak away from his markers turned him into a menace against his opposition. Whether Nagelsmann picks Nick Woltemade or Undav, Germany needs a proper center forward to start in place of Havertz. Undav is Die Mannschaft’s best player at the moment and giving him as much time would be a sensible move.
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