Germany cruise past United States 3-1 in friendly on Julian Nagelsmann’s debut
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Germany's players celebrating after scoring the third goal against the US in an international friendly in East Hartford, Connecticut, on Oct 14.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK – Julian Nagelsmann got off to a winning start as Germany’s coach on Saturday, with his team securing a comfortable 3-1 win over the United States in a friendly.
Germany looked much improved from the side who had suffered a 4-1 home defeat by Japan Hansi Flick fired as coach
“Against a good team with a lot of speed, we took a very good step in terms of football,” said 36-year-old Nagelsmann, who felt his team had been too rushed in the opening 45 minutes.
“In the second half, we also had a fast pace of play, but more patience and control. That was the difference.”
The Euro 2024 hosts could ill afford another defeat but they delivered a solid, well-rounded performance after recovering from a Christian Pulisic opener for the United States in the match at East Hartford, Connecticut.
Although Pascal Gross struck the post early on for Germany, who were missing midfielder Joshua Kimmich due to illness, the home side looked threatening with Pulisic and Timothy Weah lively on the flanks.
Giovanni Reyna, who had gone through a bitter public row with coach Gregg Berhalter after the 2022 World Cup, returned to the starting line-up and provided some creative touches as the US started well.
Pulisic put them ahead in the 27th minute with a superb solo goal, cutting in from the left flank and then unleashing a fine drive into the far corner.
But that appeared to serve merely as a wake-up call for Germany, with Ilkay Gundogan levelling in the 39th minute after good work from Leroy Sane.
Sane dribbled across the American defence, played a one-two with Gundogan and tried to go round Matt Turner. The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper got a hand to the ball, but could only push it into the path of Gundogan, who equalised.
Germany went ahead in the 58th with striker Niclas Fullkrug slotting home after a perfectly weighted one-touch pass from Robin Gosens.
With the US defence in disarray, Fullkrug then set up the lively Jamal Musiala for a simple tap-in to make it 3-1 for the Euro 2024 hosts.
Musiala’s speed and skill were major highlights of the performance from Germany with Gundogan, as always, calm and intelligent in the centre of midfield.
The Americans missed the impact of injured central midfielder Tyler Adams, who is recovering from a hamstring problem and may need surgery, and Pulisic noted their weakness at the back.
“It hurts. We had a good start to the game. I felt like we hurt them in a lot of moments,” said the AC Milan winger.
“But yeah, little mistakes here and there. Defensively, we can be a bit better.
“Obviously, we have to give them credit. They have some unbelievable players. They played a strong game.”
Germany will face Mexico in Philadelphia on Tuesday, while the US will take on Ghana in Nashville. AFP
