Euro 2024
We Can Beat Pressure And Scotland In Euro 2024 Opener – Says Nagelsmann
Germany coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has described Scotland as a formidable team that will look to exploit the pressure on the hosts when they clash in the opening match of Euro 2024 on Friday.
Despite this, Nagelsmann highlighted the self-confidence and desire for victory amongst his players.
“Scotland isn’t a team full of world stars, but that makes them dangerous because they are very agile players who give everything, with classic Scottish mentality,” he told a press conference on Thursday.
Although Germany is experiencing pressure and anticipation leading up to the essential opening game of the tournament, Nagelsmann reassured that the team is in top form and ready for the challenge.
“When I look in my players’ eyes… I see a lot of belief and a lot of confidence, which is what I want… we have the home advantage, we want to win.”
“We can beat pressure, and we can beat Scotland as well.”
Despite Germany’s impressive record of four World Cup wins and three European Championship titles, their once stellar tournament reputation has been tarnished by a string of disappointments following their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.
They went out of the next two World Cups in the group stage, their worst showing in over 80 years, and exited the last Euros in the round of 16.
“We will have more pressure on us than Scotland and they will want to capitalize on that,” said Nagelsmann, who took over as Germany manager in October 2023.
Scotland can generate scoring opportunities, maintain possession of the ball, and apply pressure on the German defense in their Group A encounter. “We have to stay focused to avoid crosses,” he added.
Nagelsmann said he was feeling emotional ahead of the match, reflecting on his humble origins in a small village with 700 residents, where there were more cows than people.
Now, he finds himself gearing up for the opening game of Euro 2024 in Munich.
Germany captain, Ilkay Gundogan, said Nagelsmann gave the players clarity and conveyed a sense of calm which had helped the team.
“The coach gives us confidence, a clear direction, he has discussed roles with us… everyone knows what is expected of them and can give their all on the pitch, and that helps us a great deal after the negative experiences of the last tournaments.”
“No other game is like the first one, because then you can use that momentum and that euphoria for the next few games, and that is why the most important objective tomorrow is to win the game,” he said.
