MUNICH: Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side needed to use the pressure of hosting Euro 2024 to their advantage ahead of Friday’s tournament opener against Scotland in Munich.
This summer’s hosts are three-time winners of the European Championship but have endured a poor time since reaching the semifinals at Euro 2016.
Since that tournament, the Germans were eliminated twice at the group stage of the World Cup, and lost to England in the last 16 at the Euros in 2021.
Admitting to being a “little nervous” ahead of his first game coaching Germany at a major tournament, Nagelsmann said he told his players to embrace the pressure in front of their home fans.
“I think it’s normal that you feel a little bit of pressure before a tournament and before important games like these,” the 36-year-old told reporters on Thursday.
“Ultimately for me it’s the most important theme, when I speak with my players, that pressure is a form of privilege.
“We need to simply enjoy being on the pitch. That’s very important. Our players started playing when they were young. They love it (football).
“If you do it that way, you’re doing it right.”
“We will work out the pressure and we will work out Scotland,” he added.
Nagelsmann shed light on the process of bringing veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired from international duty in 2021, back into the squad. Nagelsmann revealed it took a while to convince the 2014 World Cup winner to return.
“It took a period of time to convince him because he wanted to know what we’ll change in the future,” explained Nagelsmann.
“He said he’ll only be part of the team when he feels we can win, so he wanted to know how we’ll change the team.
“Then he said he’ll be part of it and ‘let’s rock’.”
Nagelsmann was wary of Scotland, saying Steve Clarke’s side were not the “kick and rush” team of the past.
“They have flair and good physicality. They may not be full of superstars, but that can make them dangerous.”
Nagelsmann urges Germany to harness the ‘privilege of pressure’
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Nagelsmann urges Germany to harness the ‘privilege of pressure’
- “I think it’s normal that you feel a little bit of pressure before a tournament and before important games like these,” the 36-year-old told reporters
- “We will work out the pressure and we will work out Scotland“
Chelsea deny 10-man Wrexham Hollywood finish in FA Cup thriller
- The game changed complexion when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time
- Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club
WREXHAM, UK: Chelsea twice came from behind to deny Hollywood-owned Wrexham a fairytale FA Cup triumph on Saturday, edging past the second-tier side 4-2 in a captivating contest to reach the quarter-finals.
Wrexham, watched at the Racecourse Ground by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, took the lead through Sam Smith but the visitors were level courtesy of an own goal shortly before half-time.
In a breathless second period, Callum Doyle put the Welsh team back ahead again in the 78th minute only for Josh Acheampong to equalize four minutes later.
The game changed complexion when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time and Alejandro Garnacho volleyed home in the first period of extra time before Joao Pedro’s late strike added gloss to the scoreline.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments, made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club.
In-form Wrexham, who put out Premier League club Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition, went ahead in the 18th minute when Doyle found Smith with a raking long pass.
Smith’s first touch was superb and he raced away from Tosin Adarabioyo before finishing coolly past Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea enjoyed the bulk of possession but created little against Phil Parkinson’s organized side, who are targeting a fourth-consecutive promotion — this time to the Premier League.
But Wrexham suffered heartbreak five minutes before half-time when the ball squirmed into the net off the back of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an own goal.
Wrexham started the second half on the front foot again, putting Chelsea’s defense under huge pressure, roared on by a passionate home crowd.
Rosenior brought on forward Marc Guiu for defender Mamadou Sarr just before the hour mark, throwing on Marc Cucurella and Dario Essugo a few minutes later.
Wrexham continued to make life uncomfortable for the Club World Cup champions and re-took the lead with a brilliant, instinctive flick from Doyle, who turned home Josh Windass’s shot in the 78th minute.
But just minutes later Chelsea were all-square again, with Acheampong firing into the roof of the net.
Windass had a glorious chance to put Wrexham in front for a third time but headed wide with Sanchez stranded and Pedro Neto rattled the bar at the other end.
- Red card -
The dynamic of the match shifted when Dobson was sent off in stoppage time by referee Peter Bankes following a VAR review.
That gave Wrexham a mountain to climb and their task was even harder when Essugo’s cross was finished crisply by Garnacho in the sixth minute of extra time.
Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore’s header was turned home by Lewis Brunt but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Lewis O’Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson’s side finally ran out of chances with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea.
Chelsea now turn their attentions to a Champions League last-16 date with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek while Wrexham will continue their push to reach the Premier League.
