At 0:00 a.m. Beijing time on June 20, Germany will face Hungary in the second round of the UEFA Europa League group stage. In a pre-match press conference, Germany's head coach Nagelsmann shared his thoughts and expectations for the upcoming match.
Nagelsmann began by praising the Hungarian team's performance, especially their ability to switch between offense and defense. He mentioned that Hungary has two strikers with strong aerial dominance and the threat of Soboslói at set-pieces, saying that Germany needs to be well prepared for this. However, he also said that if Germany can defend well, they have a good chance to win the game.
Regarding the fitness of the players, Nagelsmann said that he was not too worried because of the proper spacing between matches and the good impression of the players' physical condition. He believes that although the long season may affect the players' fitness, it is fair to both sides.
Speaking about whether tomorrow's match will be the first real test for Germany's defense, Nagelsmann believes that Scotland and Hungary are on a similar level. He mentioned that Hungary may now be under more pressure as they need to attack more to avoid elimination, which will also be affected by Germany's performance.
Nagelsmann also spoke about the average age of Germany's starting lineup, saying that it is the highest since 2000, but that he believes it is important to combine experienced players with young and talented players. He emphasized the good atmosphere within the team and the good relationship between senior and young players.
Speaking about Kroos, Nagelsmann spoke highly of his impact. He believes that Kroos' experience is invaluable to the team and praised Kroos' performance on the pitch. Nagelsmann said that Kroos is still one of the top players in the world when it comes to finding teammates, creating chances and assists and expects him to play a big role in tomorrow's game.
As for the team's injuries, Nagelsmann gave positive feedback, stating that all players are healthy and there is no negative news to announce.
Finally, Nagelsmann re-emphasized the importance of the bond between senior and young players. He believes that this combination is not only reflected on the pitch, but is equally important off the pitch. He believes that this combination will bring great success to the German team in this tournament.
