Damper for EM euphoria

Julian Nagelsmann dared too much: after a lot of offensive power and stunning defensive errors, the German national team suffered its first defeat under the new national coach in the emotional home premiere. The 2:3 (1:2) against Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, which was sold out with 72,592 spectators, spoiled the mood seven months before the start of the European Championship at home. In order to return to the capital for the final on July 14, 2024, Nagelsmann still has to do a lot of work.

Kai Havertz (5th minute), surprisingly called up as left defender, and Niclas Füllkrug (48th) scored the goals in an extremely offensive DFB team. The Turks did not only expose the deficits of the backward movement with the goals of Ferdi Kadioğlu (38th) and Kenan Yildiz (45th + 2). Yusuf Sari’s penalty (71st) after a handball from Havertz finally sealed the defeat.

There will be a chance to make amends on Tuesday (8:45 p.m./ZDF). Then it’s in Vienna against Austria against another European Championship participant. A small glimmer of historical hope: when Germany last lost to Turkey in 2005 (1:2), a few months later the fairy tale of the Summer World Cup took place.

Captain Ilkay Gündogan’s team was greeted with whistles and boos from the tens of thousands of Turkish fans in the arena as they warmed up. Gündogan played against his parents’ home country for the first time and experienced something like an away match. Things will be completely different at the European Championships next summer.

Until then, Nagelsmann and his selection only have a few more opportunities to get back into shape and regain the hearts of German supporters. Against the Turks, the successor of the unfortunate Hansi Flick tried an unexpected experiment: Havertz started on the left in the last four in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who replaced Marc-André ter Stegen, who left with back problems.

“In general, I have a great imagination for him because he is an exceptionally good (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er,” Nagelsmann said before the match on RTL. Havertz demonstrated how offensively the Arsenal professional had to interpret his unusual role after just four minutes by finishing off a fine attack in the Turks’ penalty area with the opening goal. Benjamin Henrichs served Leroy Sané with a beautiful deep pass behind the visitors’ defense, which the Munich player then served for Havertz.

“Away victory,” the German fans shouted ironically after the goal. The shrill whistles of the Turkish supporters have now died down, but the atmosphere in the stands remained peaceful. According to the police, there were no particular incidents during the march of Turkish supporters towards the Olympic stadium, apart from the lighting of a few pyrotechnic rockets. The two teams played a lively match on the field, initially controlled by the German team. Sané could have increased the score in the 16th minute, but shot from 18 meters past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who had rushed out of the goal, and in front of the goal.

However, after a solid first phase, Nagelsmann’s charges began to see more and more of the defensive oscillations experienced in previous months. The national coach indeed wanted to work on these weaknesses during the current campaign in order to reduce the number of goals conceded.

Almost logically, the equalizer fell in favor of the increasingly strong Turks. Henrichs and Sané let Kadioglu escape behind them and the Turkish whirlwind plunged glacially into the nearest corner. Once again, the German team failed to keep a clean sheet as they hoped. And it was even worse: shortly before the break, a diagonal ball from Kaan Ayhan flew past the inserted Henrichs, leaving Yildiz all alone. The 18-year-old, born in Regensburg and trained at FC Bayern, sent the ball beautifully into the right corner of the goal, and Trapp had no further chances.

Angry, Nagelsmann was the first to enter the locker room. In the stands, former national coach Joachim Löw was surprised by the hosts’ increasingly questionable performance. Nagelsmann’s speech during the break quickly had an effect. From the first attack, his team brought the score to 2-2. After a nice solo, Wirtz finds Füllkrug, who was previously completely unrecorded, and scores his tenth goal in his twelfth international match with a low, sharp shot.

But shortly after, Salih Özcan, from Dortmund, hit the outside post of the German goal from 18 meters (52nd). The DFB selection simply could not control the match, as the Turks fought with great passion and the video evidence also helped them. Polish referee Bartosz Frankowski sanctioned a questionable handball by Havertz with a penalty. Sari defeated Trapp, who still had his fingers on the ball.

Nagelsmann now sent Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry onto the field for Wirtz and the unconvincing Joshua Kimmich. Bremen’s Marvin Ducksch, who replaced Julian Brandt, also made his national team debut in the final minutes. Gnabry still had the opportunity to equalize, but narrowly missed a cross from Henrichs (86th).

Not only is the DFB team on the « road to Munich » after the match against Turkey, but all fans of the national team can also look forward to the opening match of the 2024 European Championship. The stickers Digital copies of national players officially licensed by the DFB can be purchased at “sammeldeinteam.de”. Great prizes such as tickets or jerseys can also be won. Register now here for free and collect your first pack!

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