Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his tight-knit Germany team for an utterly dominant display in their 5-1 victory over 10-man Scotland in the Euro 2024 opener, saying he did not want to single out individuals but focus on their joint success.
Germany scored through Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and a Kai Havertz penalty in the first half before Niclas Fuellkrug and Emre Can added two more late in the second period.
“Even though today was only the first step, it was a very good one. We can build on this and we're very happy,” he said after Germany's triumphant start to the campaign in Munich.
“It's great that we scored several goals, it gives everyone a good feeling,” he said. “In the first 20 minutes we were extremely good, we were very dominant and very aggressive, we made no mistakes.”
Germany's young attackers, 21-year-olds Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, sent a clear message that they are ready to lead the team into a new era, each scoring a goal apiece.
Asked if they, like former Germany players Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2006, could trigger a wave of national excitement and reinvigorate the team, Nagelsmann said the victory was shared by everyone.
“I don't want to pick out individual performances ... it's about the unit as a whole. The players do everything to make sure the player next to them looks good too.
“The fans perhaps believe in us a little bit more now than they did before the game.”
Musiala, named man of the match, said the high score had given Germany self belief to take into their clash with Hungary.
“To win this comfortably was a good sign. We can take that confidence into the next game and we won't let it go to our heads.”
Germany face Hungary on Wednesday before taking on Switzerland in their final Group A match.
Nagelsmann hails Germany's confident first step, team unity after 5-1 win
Image: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his tight-knit Germany team for an utterly dominant display in their 5-1 victory over 10-man Scotland in the Euro 2024 opener, saying he did not want to single out individuals but focus on their joint success.
Germany scored through Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and a Kai Havertz penalty in the first half before Niclas Fuellkrug and Emre Can added two more late in the second period.
“Even though today was only the first step, it was a very good one. We can build on this and we're very happy,” he said after Germany's triumphant start to the campaign in Munich.
“It's great that we scored several goals, it gives everyone a good feeling,” he said. “In the first 20 minutes we were extremely good, we were very dominant and very aggressive, we made no mistakes.”
Germany's young attackers, 21-year-olds Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, sent a clear message that they are ready to lead the team into a new era, each scoring a goal apiece.
Asked if they, like former Germany players Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2006, could trigger a wave of national excitement and reinvigorate the team, Nagelsmann said the victory was shared by everyone.
“I don't want to pick out individual performances ... it's about the unit as a whole. The players do everything to make sure the player next to them looks good too.
“The fans perhaps believe in us a little bit more now than they did before the game.”
Musiala, named man of the match, said the high score had given Germany self belief to take into their clash with Hungary.
“To win this comfortably was a good sign. We can take that confidence into the next game and we won't let it go to our heads.”
Germany face Hungary on Wednesday before taking on Switzerland in their final Group A match.
READ MORE
Players’ union Fifpro files legal claim against Fifa over Club World Cup
France battling injuries, poor form to live up to favourites tag at Euro 2024
Germany eye title as fans get set for Euro 2024 party
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos