Nagelsmann reveals: 4 DFB stars are guaranteed starting eleven against Portugal
Portugal is Germany's opponent for a place in the Nations League final. National coach Julian Nagelsmann is keeping his lineup a secret. Only four DFB players are publicly guaranteed a place in the starting eleven.
Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed nine of the eleven spots in his starting lineup for the Nations League semifinals. However, the national coach declined to reveal any details about individual players ahead of the national team's match against Portugal on Wednesday (9:00 p.m./ZDF/DAZN). "If they paid attention in training, they know they'll play," Nagelsmann joked at the press conference in Munich's Allianz Arena.
Florian Wirtz also received confirmation from Nagelsmann that he would be in the starting eleven, despite Bayer Leverkusen's ongoing multi-million-euro poker game with his hoped-for new employer, Liverpool FC. "I haven't noticed that it's bothering him. It's perfectly normal to have one or two thoughts," said the national coach. Wirtz is keen to play.
Newcomer Nick Woltemade has trained well and made a good impression. Nagelsmann left it open whether the Stuttgart striker will be in the starting eleven.
The national team is in the semifinals for the first time in eight years. The last title was won at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. "When you participate in a competition, I'm wired to want to win," said Goretzka. It's about time for another trophy, the 30-year-old added.
The second semifinal will pit European champions and defending champions Spain against World Cup runners-up France in Stuttgart on Thursday (9:00 p.m.). The final will take place on Sunday (9:00 p.m.) in Munich.
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