if Germany is qualified for the Round of 8, everything is far from settled.
As Germany cruises through the initial rounds of Euro 2024, a critical look at their performance reveals a stubborn reluctance from head coach Julian Nagelsmann to tweak his starting lineup, which is beginning to raise eyebrows.
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Tactical Stalemate
Despite Germany’s decent start at the tournament, questions linger about the effectiveness of Nagelsmann’s unchanged lineup. The persistence in deploying the same starting eleven in matches against Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland has sparked debates about the utilization of the 26-man squad, particularly as some positions clearly lack the dynamism needed to elevate the team’s game.
The fullback conundrum
One of the more perplexing decisions by Nagelsmann has been his use of Joshua Kimmich and Maximilian Mittelstädt as fullbacks. Traditionally more influential in midfield roles, Kimmich’s redeployment to the defensive flank—a position he has not regularly occupied at Bayern Munich—has yielded unremarkable results. Similarly, Mittelstädt’s performances have been lackluster, contributing little to Germany’s offensive plays, and his defensive miscues have not gone unnoticed.
Swiss strategy exposes flaws
The strategy employed by Switzerland’s Murat Yakın in their recent match highlighted the weaknesses in Germany’s approach. By intensifying the midfield battle, the Swiss forced Germany to shift the ball wide, thus neutralizing their central playmakers and exposing the inefficiencies of Kimmich and Mittelstädt in their makeshift roles.
🎷 Saxophone player Andre Schnura played among hundreds of Germany fans in Frankfurt ahead of their Euro 2024 match against Switzerland pic.twitter.com/b3PxVdVEYE
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 23, 2024
The Havertz dilemma
At the core of Germany’s tactical conundrum is the use of Kai Havertz as the leading striker. Despite his technical prowess and ability to draw defenders, Havertz has struggled to make a significant impact in this role. This situation has sparked a broader debate about his suitability as a forward, particularly when Niclas Füllkrug, a more natural striker with a proven track record, is limited to brief cameo appearances despite his goal-scoring capabilities.
Substitutes make their case
The minimal use of substitutes until critical moments has been a puzzling aspect of Nagelsmann’s strategy. The impactful performances of David Raum and Füllkrug off the bench against Switzerland, where they combined to salvage a draw, underscore the potential benefits of a more flexible approach to squad rotation.
The human element in coaching
Beyond formations and tactics, managing a national team in a tournament like the Euro involves fostering a positive team environment. This includes giving every player a sense of involvement and opportunity, which Nagelsmann seems to neglect by not rotating his squad. This rigid approach contrasts sharply with the philosophies of other successful managers, like Italy’s Roberto Mancini during Euro 2020, who emphasized the importance of involving every squad member to foster team spirit and unity.
Antoine Griezmann: The guiding force of French soccer at Euro 2024
This article explores the tactical inflexibility of Julian Nagelsmann during Euro 2024, questioning the German coach’s reluctance to adapt his lineup despite clear signs of stagnation in key areas. It highlights how this rigidity might be hindering the team’s potential and discusses the broader implications of such a strategy on team morale and performance.
