Speaking to the media (via iMiaSanMia) after Germany’s 3-2 loss to Turkey on Saturday evening, Julian Nagelsmann has criticised the team’s performance.
On the game, Nagelsmann said: “The first goal we conceded was very simple, where we defended a bit too aggressively. We made it too easy for them. Some didn’t reach the emotional level needed to win a game like this and didn’t go to their limit. If we had killed off the game in the first ten minutes, the result would have been different”
Germany’s next game is against Austria on Tuesday and Nagelsmann looked ahead to the friendly in Vienna: “Austria are better than Turkey in terms of the football they play. You can’t blame the team for not wanting to win. Each player must at least reach the emotional level of their opponent. Only then will the greater quality prevail in most games”
The biggest talking point heading into the game was the fact that Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz was playing left-back for Germany, Nagelsmann confirmed after the game that this would not be a one-time thing: “Kai said he wanted to do it, wanted to try it. I don’t see this as a risk for him, but as a very, very big opportunity to play a key role at the Euros. For the first time in an unfamiliar position, he did extremely well and probably was our best player.”
This is Germany’s first loss under Nagelsmann but they had started the game off strongly with an early goal from Havertz in the fifth minute. However, just before halftime, Germany allowed Turkey to not only come back in the game but also take the lead first through Ferdi Kadioglu and then former Bayern Munich youth player Kenan Yildiz. Just after half-time, Niclas Füllkrug would equalise for Germany but Turkey were awarded a penalty after a handball from Havertz which Yusuf Sari converted.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
