Germany's Pursuit of Redemption: Nagelsmann's Mission to Restore Glory at Euro 2024
After a prolonged slump since their triumphant 2014 World Cup victory, Germany's national team, the Mannschaft, has rediscovered its dynamism and ambition under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Julian Nagelsmann. As the hosts of Euro 2024, Germany finds itself among the favorites to claim the coveted title, igniting a sense of nostalgia among fans for the euphoric atmosphere that enveloped the country during the 2006 World Cup, remembered fondly as a "summer fairytale."
"I have the feeling that we can win. And most of the time, my intuition is not too bad," declares Julian Nagelsmann, the 36-year-old Germany coach, exuding great confidence ahead of the Euro 2024 kickoff on Friday, June 14.
Given Germany's stellar track record in major competitions, the caliber of players selected, and the home advantage, the Mannschaft are logically regarded as favorites alongside powerhouses like France and England. However, despite boasting four World Cup triumphs and three European Championship titles, the German juggernaut has not captured the Euro since 1996—an eternity for this footballing colossus.
The Fall and Resurgence
Since their World Cup triumph in Brazil in 2014, the Germans have endured a barren spell, suffering humiliating group-stage exits at the last two World Cups (2018, 2022) and a premature round-of-16 elimination at the hands of England in the 2021 Euros. Consequently, German fans are eagerly anticipating this European Championship on home soil, especially given a seemingly manageable group stage featuring Scotland in the opening match, followed by encounters with Hungary and Switzerland.
Nagelsmann, who replaced Hansi Flick last fall at the helm of a crisis-ridden Mannschaft, has ample reason for confidence. His players have demonstrated their prowess, securing impressive victories against formidable opponents such as France (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-1) in friendly matches in March.
A former Bayern Munich coach, Nagelsmann is renowned for his powers of persuasion, successfully coaxing Toni Kroos, a six-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid and arguably Germany's finest player of the past decade, out of international retirement for Euro 2024. He has also displayed a willingness to make tough choices, omitting several key players from his Euro squad, including Borussia Dortmund's stalwart central defender and 2014 world champion Mats Hummels.
The Youth Movement: Wirtz and Musiala
For this Euro campaign, the Mannschaft coach has heavily relied on the group of players who impressed against Les Bleus in March. "We've changed the squad very little, because it was good," Nagelsmann remarked when unveiling his team for the tournament on May 16.
While he will lean on the experience of captain Ilkay Gündogan and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has not played for his country since 2022 due to injury, the coach will entrust the team's attack to two prodigiously talented youngsters who have been setting the Bundesliga alight this season: Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, both aged 21.
Musiala, who already featured at the 2022 World Cup, continues to improve with every game for Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, newly-crowned Bundesliga champion Florian Wirtz has showcased astonishing efficiency in front of goal for Bayer Leverkusen, emerging as the main architect of their title-winning campaign with 11 goals and 11 assists in 32 matches.
Chasing Another "Sommermärchen
In preparation for Euro 2024, Germany faced Ukraine on June 4, a match that allowed for a comprehensive review of the squad and ended in a 0-0 draw, despite 26 German shots on goal.
The Mannschaft faltered in their final warm-up match against Greece three days later, narrowly prevailing 2-1 thanks to an 89th-minute goal. This lackluster performance served as a timely wake-up call for the team and goalkeeper Neuer, whose blunder allowed the Greek goal and whose form appeared shaky and uninspired.
To ignite the tournament with a strong start and rally the home fans behind them, as they did during the 2006 World Cup on German soil, the team must deliver a more convincing display against Scotland in the opener in Munich on Friday.
Germany made it to the semi-finals in 2006 before falling to Italy. However, the tournament was considered a resounding success, with a wave of national pride sweeping the country as it experienced what is still regarded as a "summer fairytale" (Sommermärchen).
The ambitious Nagelsmann, whose initial contract ran until Euro 2024 but has now been extended until the 2026 World Cup, believes his players can surpass a mere semi-final appearance. Whether they can realize this lofty ambition remains to be seen on the day of the final, July 14.