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Germany Boss, Nagelsmann Leaves Out Hummels, Sticks With Regulars For Euro 2024
Germany coach, Julian Nagelsmann, stuck with his original squad selection for the 2024 Euros despite last-minute form from Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Julian Brandt.
Mats Hummels and Julian Brandt, who were crucial in Dortmund’s journey to the Champions League final, will face Real Madrid in the upcoming match. Despite their contributions, Nagelsmann opted to maintain the lineup that secured victories against France and the Netherlands in March.
Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich was omitted from the 27-man squad of the hosts, which will be reduced to 26 following the June friendlies against Ukraine and Greece. Meanwhile, Goretzka’s teammate Serge Gnabry was not included due to an injury.
Germany’s performance in the past two World Cups saw them exit at the group stage, while they were eliminated in the last 16 at Euro 2021. Their 2023 campaign was disappointing, with just three wins in 11 games, leading to the departure of coach Hansi Flick.
Following defeats against Turkey and Austria at the close of 2023, Nagelsmann introduced a significantly altered squad for the March friendlies, incorporating players from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and in-form Stuttgart.
Germany made a strong impression with victories over the 2022 World Cup finalists France and the Netherlands. Nagelsmann has recently added Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck and Stuttgart goalkeeper Alex Nubel to the squad, with Nubel being one of the four goalkeepers selected. This change sees Heidenheim’s Jan-Niklas Beste and the injured Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno being replaced.
Bayern’s Leroy Sane, who was absent from the March friendlies due to injury, has now been included in the squad. Nagelsmann emphasized the importance of having four goalkeepers to distribute the workload effectively throughout the tournament.
“We have nominated four goalkeepers and we will go with four to the tournament. Nubel has deserved the nomination,” he said. “Why four keepers? You can have goalkeepers in training as well and Manuel (Neuer) does not always have to do it. We can control training and spread the load.”
“That means 22 infield players. I can live with that very well. We can still do proper training with at least 20 infield players if some are missing.” He said.
The announcement, in central Berlin close to the famous Brandenburg Gate, featured three players from Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, forward Thomas Muller, and midfielder Toni Kroos.
Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will retain the captaincy, a decision Nagelsmann had already confirmed before the announcement, even with Neuer’s comeback.
The German FA had already unveiled 18 squad members individually through social media and other outlets, minimizing speculation about the final composition.
The European Championship starts on June 14th, with Germany taking on Scotland in Munich.
Germany go into a pre-Euros training camp in the central village of Blankenhai where England will be based during the tournament from May 26th until June 1st.
Four squad members, including Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck and Niclas Fullkrug, as well as Real Madrid duo Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos, will not participate as they are set to play in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1st.
Nagelsmann confirmed that the four players will join the squad two days after the Champions League final.
Germany is scheduled to play two pre-tournament friendlies, taking on Ukraine on June 3rd in Nuremberg and Greece four days later in Monchengladbach.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alex Nubel (Stuttgart), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuehrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
