by Julian Nagelsmann wants to stabilize the defense in the upcoming international matches. Since Mats Hummels plays a key role, the 34-year-old will not retire.
Mats Hummels was still only a peripheral figure on Sunday when the world champion walked onto the lawn of the Frankfurt Arena and then into the catacombs during an NFL guest appearance in the presence of Leon Goretzka.
The players seemed almost lost in the shadows of the players. But on Monday (13 November 2023), the 34-year-old was in demand again when he signed some autographs at the meeting point of the German national team in the hotel near the Frankfurt trade fair.
Mats Hummels plays a key role
The request for his back generated the same message Hummels had previously spread on his social media. “Two or three days” it will need it, then the body should function again. Others may have canceled the national team matches against Turkey in Berlin (Saturday 8.45pm, live audiostream) and against Austria in Vienna (21 November 2023, live audiostream).
But recently serving for the DFB selection has become very important for the Borussia Dortmund defender, as Julian Nagelsmann treats him as a central figure. In the new coach’s debut against the United States (3-1), Hummels played his 77th international match. Subsequently against Mexico (2:2), the returnee sat on the bench, Antonio Rüdiger and Niklas Süle formed the central defense, especially Hummels’ colleague Süle, who did not make a good impression in conceding goals.
The defense should intervene better
Now the national coach has written about the program: “Our construction site is a stable defense, we want to reach it now.” With an average age of over 28, his team combines a lot of routine, but does not yet stand out for its stability – this is one thing we learned from the trip to the United States.
To have a successful performance in the home tournament of the European Championship, the defense must work better, says Nagelsmann. His guys don’t have to face tackles like the tough guys on NFL clubs, but a more robust defensive demeanor can’t hurt.
Grischa Prömel replaces Felix Nmecha
On Monday, the national team coach responded to Felix Nmecha’s injury (Borussia Dortmund/hip problems) by calling up Grischa Prömel for the first time (“A dream come true”): both have known each other since their time together at TSG Hoffenheim. And at 28, this rookie is also the ideal age for Nagelsmann. Robin Gosens (Union Berlin) and Malick Thiaw (AC Milan) had previously canceled because new talents were on the way.
At the start of an international match, changes in the team are normal – especially in the highly stressful phase of autumn – but Nagelsmann wants to put the picture together on the DFB campus now, when they train together for the first time on Tuesday morning. The duels against Türkiye and Austria aim to strengthen the picture.
The coach indicated that it could happen that some players are not used at all. The players were invited to risk “that one or two people might not play at all.” For example, as much as Marvin Ducksch (Werder Bremen) is happy with the nomination and the reunion with Niclas Füllkrug (Borussia Dortmund), it is not so likely that the two “ugly birds” will start duetting in the DFB uniform. The question of what will happen to Joshua Kimmich seems much more exciting, however.
Manuel Neuer presents the game ball
Jonathan Tah may cap off the permanent right-back pipeline – especially with his form at Bayer Leverkusen – but the FC Bayern all-rounder would be the strongest fit. Kimmich didn’t want to say anything when he arrived in front of the futuristic skyscraper between the ballroom and the Senckenberg Museum. Even though the weather was really disturbing, there were events on Monday too: on the so-called marketing day, most of the commercials for next summer had already been shot.
No one should misunderstand the fact that Manuel Neuer was not present. The DFB supplier hired him to present the European Championship ball at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Wednesday. The 37-year-old is the first to hold the object of all goalkeepers’ desire in his hands. Does this starring role have anything to say for European Championship 2024?
