As of: April 6, 2024, 4:53 a.m
By: Florian Schimak
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Maxi Mittelstädt recently made his mark in the national team before the European Championships. Jürgen Klinsmann suspected this development years ago.
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With their recent strong performances in France (2:0) and against the Netherlands (2:1), the DFB team created something of a gentle European Championship atmosphere in Germany. There can be no talk of euphoria yet, but the association's planned flag campaign at least shows special support.
In terms of sport, one of the reasons for the appealing performances of national coach Julian Nagelsmann's team was the performance of Maximilian Mittelstädt. The VfB Stuttgart left-back celebrated his debut against the French and even received praise from the highest authorities. Shortly afterwards, despite a blatant mistake, he even shone as a goalscorer against Elftal.
DFB left-back: Maxi Mittelstädt on course for the European Championship squad
The 27-year-old is definitely one of the positive surprises this season. It was only in the summer that he came to Swabia as a relegated player from Hertha BSC, where he hardly got a chance, and flourished there under Sebastian Hoeneß. With his strong debut, Mittelstädt has now cemented his place as left-back for the home European Championships in the summer.
Probably not even the greatest experts would have believed Mittelstädt would be able to achieve such a development. Only one person knew a few years ago what potential lay dormant in the then young left-footer: Jürgen Klinsmann!
Maxi Mittelstädt (1st from left) recently celebrated his debut in a DFB uniform. © IMAGO / Ulmer/Team photo/Nico Herbertz
Nagelsmann's favorite beckons a European Championship ticket: Klinsmann knew it four years ago
The former DFB team boss was Hertha's coach from November 2019 to February 2020. It is well known how successful the three-month collaboration was. After Klinsi's departure from the capital, a secret list was published on which the ex-coach assessed the Hertha players.
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At the time, Maxi Mittelstädt said: “Top talent, great added value possible with over 20 million.” The VfB star is currently worth “only” 14 million (source:
transfermarkt.de
), but after a possibly successful European Championship as a DFB left-back, this is likely to multiply.
Maxi Mittelstädt in the DFB team: Flop at Hertha, great at VfB
The national coach has now found a little darling in Mittelstädt (“a completely normal guy, an incredibly nice guy, friendly, in a good mood, always”). During the nominations, Nagelsmann explained that the ex-Berlin player was one of the four best left-backs in Europe based on data.
In his four years at Hertha, Mittelstädt was rarely able to underline the attribute of top talent, but he still played 145 Bundesliga games during this time. But until last summer, no one was guaranteed to have him in Nagelsmann's European Championship squad.
The EM 2024 schedule as a PDF download
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Another player who appeared on Klinsmann's billing list at the time was Arne Maier. He wrote about him at the time: “Often injured, but mega-talented, but can bring in at least 20 million in 2 to 3 years, but only if there is a performance-enhancing environment at Hertha.”
Apparently that didn't exist. Maier has been playing for FC Augsburg since 2021. The 25-year-old is currently not in the orbit of the national team. Jürgen Klinsmann doesn't have to be right about everything...
(smk)