Julian Nagelsmann on Germany’s 3-1 win against Northern Ireland: “We had to win the game”

In partnership with

Get German Football News

·8 September 2025

Julian Nagelsmann on Germany’s 3-1 win against Northern Ireland: “We had to win the game”

Speaking after Germany’s 3-1 win against Northern Ireland in Köln, head coach Julian Nagelsmann has reacted to the team’s performance.

At times, it looked as if Germany were struggling as they went into halftime level with the visitors; however, goals from Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz in the second half turned the game around for Germany.

OneFootball Videos

On the performance, Nagelsmann said:

“We deserved to take the lead. Then we conceded the equalizer with the only shot on goal we had today. In the period that followed, we played with the ball far too slowly. But I told the players that at halftime. What happened now? We conceded the equalizer. Wow! That happens a lot in football. The fans were booing. Also wow! What’s important now is how we react. Then we made some good substitutions. I think the last 30 minutes were already good again. We had to win the game. And we did that.”

When the players went in at halftime, they were booed by the home crowd. On the booeing, the Bundestrainer said:

“Spectators go to the stadium with certain expectations, which were obviously not met. I can understand that. On the other hand, I also watch games, and I’m not always completely satisfied, but I still don’t referee. Because I don’t think it helps the people down there. If we all sit like hyenas in the bush, waiting until we can finally bite again and say how bad someone is and how they’re doing everything badly, I don’t think we’ll develop as well as we do as a country. On the one hand, I have sympathy, and on the other, I wish for something different.”

Germany ended the September international break with one win and one loss. This leaves them third in their group level on points with Northern Ireland with three points, while Slovakia lead the group on six points.

This makes the games next month against Luxembourg and the return fixture in Belfast against Northern Ireland even more important. If Germany fails to perform once again and doesn’t get the necessary results, there is a very good chance that automatic qualification is at stake, and they may have to go through the playoffs.

GGFN | Jack Meenan