UEFA EURO 2024: Germany will face Scotland in the first match
Xtra Time Web Desk: There is a deeper issue with Ilkay Gundogan. The German captain is different in the national team jersey. It's different in the club jersey!
In club football, Gundogan is treated differently. A year ago, as Manchester City captain, he won the treble. Later, he went to Barcelona as the main playmaker. From Pep Guardiola to Javi Hernandez. From Thomas Tuchel to Jurgen Klopp. Everyone sees the German captain in a very high regard. But Gundogan has never done anything memorable in the German jersey. Which is why there's a joke in German football circles that Ilkay Gundogan doesn't play in the national team jersey. When he plays, someone else looks like him! He's paradoxical!
Today, Germany and Scotland are clashing fiercely in the UEFA Euro 2024. Scottish footballers like Billy Gilmour have already kept Germany on their toes, suggesting they are fully prepared to challenge Germany. German coach Julian Nagelsmann has admitted that the Scots will exert pressure on them. In a pre-match press conference, Nagelsmann said, "Scotland has at least four or five good players. They deliver plenty of crosses. We'll have to withstand their pressure."
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However, compared to Scotland, will Nagelsmann's record in his own national team jersey keep him less pressured? It will remain under scrutiny.
Today, Germany and Scotland are engaged in a fierce battle in the UEFA Euro 2024. German coach Julian Nagelsmann hasn't said much about it. Ilkay Gundogan himself has spoken, saying, "The match against Scotland won't be easy for us. They will make us suffer. But I will try to apply the football lessons I learned from Pep (Guardiola) to win for my country."
However, Gundogan and Nagelsmann will find solace in experienced Toni Kroos in midfield. They've relied heavily on him to understand and guide them through Euro. Nagelsmann stated, "We've had many discussions with Toni. He said if he can contribute to the team, then he'll play. He agreed in the end."
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The German coach was asked about the last three major tournaments: the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 Euro, and the 2022 World Cup. Germany did not perform well in any of these tournaments. However, Nagelsmann doesn't want to dwell on the past. He said, "I don't dwell on the past. We aim to do better than last time. I've told the boys, you've worked hard for so long. Now, give your all on the field."
Whether their hopes will be fulfilled or not, only time will tell, starting from today.
