Germany will face Ghana, their second opponent in this international break, in Stuttgart. Ahead of the fixture, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann was interviewed by the official website of the German Football Association (DFB), talking about match preparations, the current team atmosphere and his plans for selecting the World Cup squad.
On team atmosphere and communication among players
The coaching staff has held talks with every player, informing them whether their World Cup spots are secure and their roles within the team. Every player should be clear about their situation two months before the World Cup, and we will make decisions accordingly. I am still not certain about the definite starting lineup, but overall, we have a clear idea regarding each player's individual role.
On the division of roles in the goalkeeper position
Ollie (Oliver Baumann) is the first-choice goalkeeper, and Alex (Alexander Nübel) is the second-choice goalkeeper. Alex fits this role perfectly, just as people would expect an excellent second goalkeeper to do. His performances are top-tier, and he would be the number-one keeper for many national teams. We have no issues at all with our goalkeeping options from the first to the sixth choice.
On the starting lineup against Ghana
We are not fully confirmed yet. It depends on the final training session before the match. We need to make more rotations in tomorrow's game and properly manage some players to keep them fit in the coming weeks.
On insights into Ghana
Although we know Austria are a strong side, we were still surprised by their 5-1 defeat to Austria. Ghana have almost always adopted a five-man defensive system previously, but switched to a four-man defence against Austria, so we are unsure what tactics they will use against us. I expect them to drop deep and rely on pacey wingers to launch counter-attacks to cause us problems, just like the goals they scored against Austria. We do not think they will apply high pressing or take the initiative to dominate possession.
On injured players' chances of making the World Cup squad
The door of the national team is open to all players, but physical fitness remains a basic requirement for being selected in the World Cup squad. For example, Noah Amiri has performed well consistently, yet long-term injuries have kept him sidelined, and other
players are in the same situation. I do not want to close the door for anyone, but as the World Cup draws near, players who cannot feature in matches will see their chances fade away.
On communication with Marc-André ter Stegen
I had a brief chat with him the day before yesterday. He has always been with the national team and will make his contributions. He cares not only about his own condition but also the whole national team. Out of respect, I will not completely rule out his World Cup dream, but if he has been sidelined by injury for a full year, his chances are undoubtedly slim. Now he needs to focus on his rehabilitation; although he no longer feels obvious pain, everything takes time.
On Leon Goretzka's recent form
He had far fewer minutes on the pitch in 2024 than he does now, but that does not mean he is guaranteed a starting spot. Back in 2024, Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündoğan were in the team, leaving limited playing time. We felt he did not deliver his best performances in a substitute role then, and obviously, we cannot compare the current squad with the one from two years ago.
On the importance of set pieces
In modern football, the proportion of goals scored from set pieces is extremely high and is likely to keep rising. Around one-third of all goals now come from set pieces, which is crucial. Especially considering the climate conditions we will face during the World Cup, a single set-piece goal can be the key to breaking a deadlock. Conversely, conceding set-piece goals will put us in a passive position.
