Bench for the World Cup opener? Here’s how Nagelsmann plans to use Musiala | OneFootball

Thomas Müller and Jürgen Klopp caused a stir with their preferred starting lineup for Germany’s World Cup opener against Curaçao. Both would prefer Deniz Undav over Jamal Musiala. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann, however, has a completely different plan—and continues to fully rely on the Bayern star.

The debate surrounding Jamal Musiala has been following the German national team for weeks now. After his long injury layoff, the FC Bayern attacker is still searching for his absolute top form. Although the 23-year-old has repeatedly demonstrated his exceptional qualities in recent months, the ease and dominance of earlier days have not yet returned consistently.

Ahead of the World Cup opener against Curaçao, the debate is now gaining new momentum.

Müller and Klopp would go with Undav

As part of their first expert appearance for MagentaTV, Thomas Müller and Jürgen Klopp put together their personal German starting lineup. One decision in particular drew attention: Both would start Deniz Undav in the number 10 position and initially bench Musiala.

Müller justified his choice with the Stuttgart striker’s strong performances: “If everyone is fit, I see Undav as an excellent option. He just has a nose for the game. I’ve really latched onto this Undav idea.”

Klopp agreed with this assessment and pointed to the forward’s versatility: “We brought Undav into the game because he can play in the number 10 position.”

Nagelsmann has a clear plan

Photo: IMAGO

Internally, however, the distribution of roles seems to have been set in stone for some time. According to information from BILD, Musiala remains one of the absolute key players in the German team for Julian Nagelsmann. The national team coach is firmly counting on the Bayern star and sees him as a central figure in attacking midfield.

The most recent training sessions provide clear indications of this. Musiala was consistently part of the supposed starting lineup and was always deployed in the team of regulars during tactical drills.

Barring any last-minute personnel changes, the attacking midfielder will start against Curaçao.

The decision demonstrates just how much confidence the national team coach continues to have in Musiala. Nagelsmann knows that the Bayern pro can decide games even when he hasn’t yet reached 100 percent of his potential. It is precisely this special quality that makes Musiala so valuable to the German national team.

In addition, the match against Curaçao offers an ideal opportunity to continue building match rhythm and gaining confidence.

Undav remains the wild card option

For Deniz Undav, this means a spot on the bench for now.

Although the Stuttgart player has been in excellent form in recent weeks and shone most recently with a brace in the 4-0 win over Finland, Nagelsmann still sees his role primarily as a sparkplug for the second half.

The national team coach is thus deliberately prioritizing continuity.

For Musiala, the World Cup could now become the decisive tournament.

After a period marred by injuries, the tournament offers him the chance to finally regain his former strength. The fact that Nagelsmann is fully committed to him despite all the discussions is likely to give the Bayern star an extra boost of confidence.