Julian Nagelsmann believes that Germany won’t be burdened by additional pressure despite showcasing their “best” football yet at UEFA Euro 2024 during their 2-0 victory over Denmark.
Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala both found the net in the second half to secure Germany’s spot in the quarter-finals, although the match featured three disallowed goals and a nearly 30-minute delay in the first half due to a storm in Dortmund.
Despite these interruptions, Germany largely controlled the game, though Nagelsmann acknowledged there’s still room for improvement before their upcoming match against either Spain or Georgia.
“The first 20 minutes were the tournament’s best for us, but the rain delay disrupted everyone,” Nagelsmann added. “Denmark didn’t manage a shot in the first half, but increased their pressure in the second. We have work to do before the quarter-finals, needing more patience in our build-up and seizing our opportunities.”
When asked about heightened fan expectations following Germany’s first knockout victory in eight years, Nagelsmann responded, “I don’t think we face any extra pressure. Our fans’ expectations are a great motivator for us. We’re accustomed to handling pressure, which is a privilege for all involved.”
Nico Schlotterbeck was disappointed by VAR overturning his early goal, citing a foul in the build-up, but he later assisted Musiala’s goal. Reflecting on the match, Schlotterbeck said, “It was a fantastic game, and I hope the Dortmund fans enjoyed it. I’m thrilled for the team; it’s a well-deserved reward for our hard work. Despite the rain delay, we maintained our momentum and played with enthusiasm. Now, we look ahead to Stuttgart for the quarter-finals.”
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