Germany look to keep supporters dreaming, coach Julian Nagelsmann says

STUTTGART – Germany’s job is to keep home supporters dreaming at Euro 2024, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on June 19 after his team’s 2-0 win over Hungary, adding that he is thinking of winning the next match and not looking ahead to the knockout rounds.

The 36-year-old lauded what he called an amazing atmosphere at the tournament on home soil, like when fans marched with the team to their bus and also broke out in the national anthem during the match.

“It was very loud in the stadium – that just gives you a good feeling,” he said. “That helps us, which is hard to believe because we have such incredibly experienced and successful players but it does something with you. It moves you.

“It’s our task to let the fans keep dreaming.”

Goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan gave the Germans a comfortable win over Hungary that made the host nation the first side to qualify for the knockout stage.

With two wins out of two, they are top of Group A and two points ahead of Switzerland, who drew 1-1 with Scotland. The Scots have a point while Hungary have none.

Nagelsmann had special words for Musiala, who has scored in both of Germany’s matches, saying he should ignore the pressure and be unafraid to take players on.

The 21-year-old, playing in his home town of Stuttgart, netted in the 22nd minute after some horrendous Hungarian defending led to the ball being poked into his path by Gundogan, and he hammered the ball in via a defender.

“He should just play football like (he’s playing) with his friends. He shouldn’t think about the pressure. He’s just playing brilliant football,” the coach said.

While few would have bet against the home side, it was in fact Germany’s first competitive win over Hungary since the 1954 World Cup final, and fans will now be dreaming of witnessing a fourth European Championship triumph.

Nagelsmann added that the victory over tough opponents like Hungary who defended deeply showed the kind of progress his squad have made over the past year.

“There were moments we had to persevere but that’s a process of maturing,” he said.

“In October, we wouldn’t have won the match today 2-0. At this level you have to remain stable. They were very uncomfortable opponents, but we remained stable in most situations.”

The match was not without controversy, however, as Hungary coach Marco Rossi criticised the decision to allow Musiala’s goal. His players were incensed a foul was not given for a challenge on defender Willi Orban.

“I’ve never complained in my career as a player or coach, I’ve never looked for excuses, but what the referee did tonight... the referee used a double standard,” he said.

“The referee allowed a goal on a push on Orban. Second half in a similar situation on (Germany midfielder Robert) Andrich, the referee whistled a foul.

“In my perspective Germany would have won anyway, but the referee was the worst on the pitch.” REUTERS, AFP