As of: March 27, 2024, 4:38 p.m
By: Luca Hartmann
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The DFB selection wins both international matches against France and the Netherlands.
Many players were able to convince - for others the European Championship train has almost left the mark.
Frankfurt – Around three months before the start of the home European Championships, Julian Nagelsmann is bringing the national team back to life.
The convincing 2-0 win against France in Lyon and the 2-1 win against the Netherlands in Frankfurt are fueling hopes among German fans for a summer fairy tale 2.0.
Nagelsmann's squad announcement for the March internationals caused quite a stir.
The 36-year-old called up six newcomers to the squad - but tried-and-tested players had to stay at home.
The national coach's radical treatment had an effect.
These are the winners of the DFB games in March:
Toni Kroos
After just eight seconds against France, the fans saw why Nagelsmann was so committed to his comeback.
The assist for the goal by Florian Wirtz was just a side note in the 34-year-old's generally (almost) error-free game.
After almost three years of DFB retirement, Kroos directed and sorted the German team in both games as if he had never been away.
Toni Kroos (left) is one of the winners under Julian Nagelsmann (center) after the victories against France and Holland.
Leon Goretzka, on the other hand, is the big loser.
© IMAGO / Nico Herbertz and IMAGO / Sven Simon and IMAGO / Buzzi
Robert Andrich
The Leverkusen player used the games to establish himself alongside Kroos in central midfield.
Strong in tackles, confident in passing and not above the physical duels in midfield – superstar Kylian Mbappé has also noticed that.
“I wanted to give him a little sign,” said Andrich after a tough foul on the Frenchman.
These signs will also be needed at the European Championships.
The DFB team has been missing a player like Andrich in recent years.
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Maximilian Mittelstädt
Certainly the positive surprise of the two international matches.
He had to deal directly with world stars like Ousmane Dembélé and Memphis Depay in the left-back position and did a more than good job.
Although he made a bad pass early on against the Dutch that led to a goal, he scored a fantastic equalizer shortly afterwards and developed into an asset.
Jamal Musiala/Florian Wirtz
The duo that is supposed to ensure the special moments.
At least one of the two youngsters Musiala (20) and Wirtz (21) was involved in almost every dangerous scoring opportunity in the attacking midfield.
Wirtz scored against France after just eight seconds, Musiala prepared one goal each against the French and the Dutch.
The interaction between the two always worked excellently.
Jonathan Tah
Announcement to the central defender competition from Dortmund!
Although he came too late against Depay before conceding an early goal against Holland, he was otherwise convincing in both games with decent tackling strength and solid positional play.
In addition to defense chief Rüdiger, he always showed the necessary calm in the build-up game.
These are the losers of the DFB games in March:
Leon Goretzka
Despite recent strong performances at Bayern, the national coach left him at home - and should now feel confirmed in his decision.
Kroos will be at the European Championships, while Nagelsmann is relying on a different player profile in Andrich.
Nagelsmann currently sees Pascal Groß as the backup role.
Goretzka has to recommend himself for a European Championship place with continued good performances at the club.
Leroy Sane
After his red card suspension, Sané missed the important test matches and had to watch as Wirtz and Musiala did well in the German offensive.
“He is exceptionally good.
I am convinced that Leroy puts his qualities 100 percent at the service of the team.
And we definitely won't miss out on that if he's healthy," said Nagelsmann - but it probably won't be a place in the starting line-up.
Kevin Trapp
Surprisingly, Nagelsmann did without Trapp in this course after the Eintracht captain had been in goal in the last two international matches in November.
After minor wobbles at the SGE, the national coach now sees Bernd Leno and Oliver Baumann ahead of Trapp in the fight for number three in the German goal.
Both were not used in the test matches, but the nomination was a pointer.
Trapp will have to have an outstanding final spurt to the season with Eintracht in order to be able to jump on the European Championship bandwagon.
The BVB stars Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and Kevin Schlotterbeck
Nagelsmann was without the three Dortmund defenders in the squad, all of whom are struggling with fluctuations in performance at BVB.
In addition to the well-placed central defenders Rüdiger and Tah, the national coach sees Robin Koch and Waldemar Anton as better suited for the backup role in the DFB team.
A squad spot at the European Championships has become a long way off for all three BVB professionals - as well as for all the others who were not nominated.
Conclusion:
There are still just under two months left until Nagelsmann has to announce his final squad for the European Championships.
“The message to these players
(who were not nominated, editor's note)
is that we have now done well and they have to give full throttle to jump on the bandwagon.
In the end, they have to be better than anyone who is there now, in whatever role.
That’s clear,” emphasized Nagelsmann.
While some stars have already secured their European Championship ticket, others have to tremble.
(LuHa)