German National Football Squad
In a bid to enhance stability and improve defensive security, German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann is set to reinstate Joshua Kimmich to a central midfield role. This strategic adjustment comes after a series of disappointing performances, as the team prepares for the World Cup qualifiers.
The decision to move Kimmich from defense to midfield forms part of a broader overhaul of the squad, following Germany's 0-2 loss to Slovakia in their first international match of the season. The performance was reminiscent of the gloomy days under Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick, sparking a sense of urgency among the team's management.
Nagelsmann's tactical approach paid off during the Euros in the spring of 2024, where he formed a team that played on par with the eventual European champion, Spain, in the quarter-finals. The manager is now considering setting a team that is less qualified but more team-oriented, in a bid to inject some much-needed "emotion" into the squad.
Kimmich's versatility could potentially help in the right-back position, a spot that has been a cause for concern. The debut of Nnamdi Collins, a 21-year-old right-back, was less than impressive, prompting Maximilian Mittelstaedt to be moved from his natural left-back position to right-back. Nagelsmann has expressed a sense of desperation in his search for a reliable right-back, going as far as inviting players to offer themselves for the position.
Leon Goretzka, another midfield stalwart, was dropped from the squad due to their struggles in the midfield. However, Nagelsmann's non-selection of some established players and moving Kimmich from midfield to defense was a successful measure in the past, according to Nagelsmann's previous statements. Goretzka was also part of the successful squad nomination changes made by Nagelsmann in the past.
The midfield play of Goretzka and Kimmich was criticized in the match against Slovakia, with the duo failing to put pressure on the opponent or create more than two convincing scoring chances. Robert Andrich, Pascal Groß, or Paul Nebel could potentially contribute to the improvement of the midfield in the upcoming matches.
Joshua Kimmich is considered the most logical solution for the right-back position, having been identified by Nagelsmann as the best right-back in Germany. Goretzka had Germany's best chance in the match against Slovakia, but he missed it. A win in the qualification against Northern Ireland is the goal if the team wants to become world champions. Nagelsmann's goal in the match against Slovakia was to achieve security and stability in the center, which was missing against world-class opponents like Portugal and France in the Nations League.
The match against Slovakia marked the first step towards the World Cup title, with a new structure and modified system intended to improve defensive security and playing dominance. As the team continues to evolve under Nagelsmann's guidance, fans and critics alike will be eagerly watching to see if these strategic adjustments will lead to a successful World Cup campaign.
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