Admin I Friday, November 15, 2024
BERLIN – Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann stressed his team want to finish their Nations League group at the top as they set eyes on the “important” final four of the tournament next year.
“After the qualification for the quarter-finals, we want to win the group. If possible already in Freiburg,” Nagelsmann said ahead of Saturday’s game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, in which they can seal the top spot in the group with a win.
“Making it to the final four for the first time is an important interim goal for us on our way to the World Cup,” the coach said.
Germany have never reached the final four of the Nations League and Nagelsmann and his players have already stressed the importance of the tournament for their preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
For the match in Freiburg against Bosnia, Nagelsmann will have Jamal Musiala back, after the Bayern Munich player missed the October games due to injury.
But it’s unclear whether his midfielder partner Florian Wirtz will be available. The Bayer Leverkusen champion missed team training on Tuesday and Wednesday due to an infection, only rejoining the squad on Thursday.
Number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen is still out due to injury and is expected to return only next year. Against Bosnia, Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann will stand between the posts.
Germany complete the Nations League group stage on Tuesday in Hungary.
