Switzerland challenge Germany in their final group game and want to give the European Championship hosts a leg up. However, the Nati should not hope for gifts, as DFB coach Julian Nagelsmann emphasizes ahead of the neighboring duel.
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- Switzerland face Germany at the end of the group stage and want to challenge the hosts for group victory.
- Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praises the national team at the press conference and has nothing but words of praise for Granit Xhaka and Murat Yakin in particular.
- Nagelsmann has less praise for the pitch in Frankfurt, which is a major concern for the Germany coach.
On Sunday evening, the national team will fight for group victory against European Championship hosts Germany in Frankfurt. The starting position is clear: if Switzerland want to knock their big neighbor out of first place, three points are required. However, DFB coach Julian Nagelsmann makes it clear at the pre-match press conference that the Germans are determined to avoid such a scenario.
Julian Nagelsmann on ...
... the pitch in Frankfurt
"I have little hope that it will hold. I don't want to offend anyone, but it's just not good. Very difficult, very soft. (...) I'm not worried about the football, more about the risk of injury to the players. If you've seen Kyle Walker or Jude Bellingham - those are two actions that, if things go badly, can end in cruciate ligament ruptures. That's the problem with this topic.
It's like driving with summer tires in winter. It's not so good for accident prevention. (...) I'm worried about injuries to the players. Not just mine, but also the Swiss. Because I wouldn't wish anyone to be out for six months because they simply don't have any grip."
... Switzerland
"They have a good mix in the team between very experienced players and young players who perhaps don't yet play for the really big European clubs and are still very greedy and hungry. (...) They are a very good opponent, certainly the strongest in the group stage. It will be a good and exciting challenge that we're looking forward to and we'd also like to win the third group game."
... Nati coach Murat Yakin
"Of course Murat can annoy us. I think a lot of him, he's a good coach. A good character with whom you can have a good conversation about football. We had a few points of contact in one workshop or another."
... Granit Xhaka
"He's hugely important for Leverkusen, not just on the pitch. I think he also has that off the pitch, in the dressing room, even in critical moments of the season, which Leverkusen also had, even if you might not think so. (...) It can also go the other way, in which case the season isn't so good. In other words, things happen in the dressing room that you don't notice from the outside. I once heard that Granit plays a big part in this and I think his importance on the pitch and also for Switzerland is obvious, as are his qualities and abilities.
He has a good approach, a good charisma on the team, a good bond with his teammates and a very big part, alongside our three players, that Leverkusen played so well."
... possible changes to the starting eleven
"There are no changes at the moment. In general, I think it's important at national team level to maintain the rhythm. Of course, we don't have as much training time, we don't have as much playing time together. Of course, some players know each other from the club, but not in this constellation. I don't take the yellow card situation into consideration because I trust the squad.
In the end, I nominate a squad because I trust everyone, because I have the same confidence in everyone, even if they have different roles. It has nothing to do with my trust in them, but the players should throw everything into it until the rules stop them and then another player will come in and do just as well."
