As the countdown to Euro 2024 continues, Germany finds themselves in a precarious position. The team, under the guidance of coach Julian Nagelsmann, is still far from being tournament-ready, less than three months before the start of the competition on home soil. Despite this, Nagelsmann remains adamant that the team does not feel under pressure.
Nagelsmann, who took over following the sacking of Hansi Flick in September, has had a mixed start at the helm. A win and a draw during a trip to the United States in October were followed by two consecutive losses in Austria and at home against Turkey in November. The coach acknowledged that in the last two games, there may have been an overload of attack-minded players on the pitch.
The four-time world champions have struggled internationally since their 2014 World Cup victory, experiencing early exits in their last three major tournaments. Despite this, Nagelsmann believes that the pressure being felt is largely external. He emphasized that while there is pressure to succeed, the rest of the expectations are imposed from outside sources. The coach urged the team to focus on enjoying the game and not get caught up in external pressures.
Germany faces France in a friendly before hosting the Netherlands, and further matches against Ukraine and Greece await them before the start of the Euros. Nagelsmann highlighted the importance of the upcoming games and the subsequent two-month phase for the coaches before the tournament kicks off.
Despite the looming pressure and expectations, Nagelsmann reiterated that football should be a source of enjoyment. He emphasized that football should evoke emotions and be a fun and integral part of life. The coach expressed his disapproval of unnecessary pressure and urged the team to focus on the joy of playing the game.
As Germany navigates their way through the final stages of preparation for Euro 2024, the focus remains on overcoming hurdles and finding their form before the competition kicks off. With Nagelsmann at the helm, the team is striving to strike a balance between meeting expectations and enjoying the beautiful game of football.