Germany March international break report card | Five “winners” among 16 players scored | OneFootball

Julian Nagelsmann’s German national team were able to book passage to the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League semi-finals this week. The German Nationalmannschaft advanced 5-4 on aggregate after taking the first quarterfinal leg 1-2 at the San Siro on Thursday and drawing Italy’s Squadra Azzura 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday evening.

Get German Football News is pleased to supply a full report card for all 16 German players who saw significant action. Players are graded in individual sections below, in descending order from the highest marks to the lowest. Five professionals attained top-level marks (A) while two are scored on the lowest level (D) in the analysis. The remaining nine actors furnished fair-to-middling performances.

Three Bayern Munich professionals – Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Jamal Musiala – attained top level marks. Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck and Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst also made it to “A” level.

All four count as big winners from the March international break. Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and RB Leipzig’s David Raum unfortunately had the worst international breaks and can be found at the bottom.

Joshua Kimmich, FC Bayern Munich

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 180/180

Positions played = RB, RM, CM, RWB

Cumulative German Press Grade = 1,5

Author’s Cumulative Grade = A+

The German national team captain assisted both goals in the opening leg victory, setting up Kleindienst from open play and hitting Leon Goretzka off a corner. Kimmich drew immense praise from his head coach following his command performance in the first match. The skipper followed up his masterful performance with another gem in the second fixture.

Kimmich garnered two more assists and scored from the penalty spot in the 3-3 draw. Set-piece delivery in most instances remained top notch. The quick thinking that enabled him to set up Jamal Musiala’s 2-0 from the corner flag won’t soon be forgotten. Kimmich continues to push himself in an attempt to prove himself the true leader of the post 2014 generation.

The 30-year-old will not be denied.

Leon Goretzka, FC Bayern Munich

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 143/180

Positions played = CM, AM, ATTM

Cumulative German Press Grade = 1,25

Author’s Cumulative Grade = A+

The German national team’s “comeback kid” earned well-deserved praise for his amazing performance in the first leg. The plaudits were by no means exaggerated. Goretzka served as the defining player of the match. His general body language was a joy to behold. The Bochum-native truly led the team in every respect.

Nagelsmann moved him even farther upfield in the second leg. Working as a ten, Goretzka seamlessly picked up where he left off. Somehow, he didn’t manage to get his name on the scoresheet again despite several assist-worthy passes. He also narrowly missed a chance himself. One honestly can find much to critique in his case.

Jamal Musiala, FC Bayern Munich

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 167/180,

Positions played = LW, AM, ATTM

Cumulative German Press Grade = 2,5

Author’s Cumulative Grade = A

The obscenely talented German phenom notched the eighth goal of his international career in the second fixture, though his had much to do with an atrocious goalkeeping error from Gianluigi Donarumma. Musiala nevertheless – like his teammate Kimmich – deserves credit for seizing the opportunity. In general, the 22-year-old maintained a spry and creative presence on the pitch in both matches.

Like many of his colleagues in the opening half of the first fixture, Musiala did appear somewhat lost in Nagelsmann’s initial tactical set up. This immediately changes after the restart. Before fading late in the second fixture, he always looked dangerous on the ball. “Musiala at his best” can be defined by how much anticipation the observer has whenever he gets a touch. Most will agree that he was mostly “at his best” in this break.

Tim Kleindienst, Borussia Mönchengladbach

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 135/180, Positions played = CF

Cumulative German Press Grade = 1,75

Author’s Cumulative Grade = A

Two goals in two matches from the Borussia Mönchengladbach striker means one obviously cannot argue with the results. Kleindienst promptly equalized for Germany three minutes after coming on in the first leg. Watching him keep his sense of humor after nearly scoring a freak own goal later left most German observers feeling as if he would confidently deliver in the second leg.

Kleindienst didn’t disappoint in the second match. Always touching forward with confidence, he drew the penalty that led to the first German goal. Later, he would net his fourth international goal on the 3-0; well deserved after a phenomenal first half. Though he didn’t factor in much in the second 45 of the 3-3 draw, there existed no real reason to dock his grade.

Nico Schlotterbeck, Borussia Dortmund

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 135/180, Positions played = LB, CB

Cumulative German Press Grade = 2,0

Author’s Cumulative Grade = A

Schlotterbeck emerges as one of the big winners from this break after finally finding his way into Nagelsmann’s good graces. The BVB man kept his left side tight in the first match. As a left-slanted centre-back in the second leg, he showed great courage in several quality forward actions and was involved in the 3-0. Schlotterbeck never shied away from risks with the ball, tackled strongly at the back, and executed several vital clearances.

Oliver Baumann, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 180/180

Positions played = GK

Cumulative German Press Grade = 2,75

Author’s Cumulative Grade = B

Germany’s current interim #1 got off to a rocky start in the opening leg, conceding a goal inside ten minutes in part due to tentative positioning. The Hoffenheim skipper nevertheless then rebounded to make several spectacular saves throughout the remainder of the game. In one famous instance, he reacted strongly to prevent an own-goal from teammate Tim Kleindienst.

After barely having to do anything in the opening 45 of the second leg, Baumann had to pick the ball out of the net thrice during Italy’s comeback in Dortmund. He still didn’t stand much of a chance against either goal from open play or the penalty kick awarded in second-half injury time. Overall, a decent yet not altogether convincing audition.

Karim Adeyemi, Borussia Dortmund

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 35/180, Positions played = LW

Cumulative German Press Grade = 3,5

Author’s Cumulative Grade = B

Many German football lovers continue to root for Adeyemi after he saw a promising start to the campaign with the U21s derailed by injury. In his two substitute shifts, the 23-year-old appeared eager to make an impact. He accrued a total of 20 touches and registered a shot in each match. A nice effort in extra time in the second match might stick in Nagelsmann’s memory.

Antonio Rüdiger, Real Madrid

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 157/180

Positions played = CB

Cumulative German Press Grade = 3,5

Author’s Cumulative Grade = B-

Rüdiger looked a bit shaky in the opening half of the first fixture, often picking the wrong passes out of the back. The Real Madrid man did recover to supply some offensive impetus of his own with a couple of long carries. Additionally, he kept his duel rate both in the air and on the ground above 80 percent. His strength in ground challenges carried over to the second leg.

Rüdiger earned a pair of standing ovations from the Dortmund crowd for a couple of his tackles. He also indirectly set up the 2-0 with a perfectly timed cross that led to Germany being awarded a corner. Like the rest of the defense, he sat on his laurels a bit too much during Italy’s comeback. As a result, many German press sources dropped his grade.

Angelo Stiller, VfB Stuttgart

Matches played = 1/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 63/180, Positions played = CM

Cumulative German Press Grade = 2,5

Author’s Cumulative Grade = B-

Stiller’s put in some industrious midfield work in the opening half of the second leg. Though he did pick up a booking and initiated a bad pass that led to an Italian counterattack late, the 23-year-old appeared largely attentive on the ball. A big ground win preceded the German 1-0. One can assess Stiller’s first turn in the German senior starting XI as solid.

Leroy Sané, FC Bayern Munich

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 145/180,

Positions played = LS, CF, RW

Cumulative German Press Grade = 3,75

Author’s Cumulative Grade = C+

Sané played with some pop in his initial start, working hard on some slant runs in from his lead striker position alongside Jonathan Burkardt. His lane cuts and passing in the second half tactical set-up were similarly strong and assured. Regrettably, the Bayern man didn’t produce any memorable scoring chances in either match. A passing error also led to Italy’s second goal in the second fixture. Sané had the will, yet just couldn’t make his presence felt.

Pascal Groß, Borussia Dortmund

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 117/180, Positions played = CM, DM, SW, AM

Cumulative German Press Grade = 3,75

Author’s Cumulative Grade = C

Whether it was by Nagelsmann’s intention or not, Groß seemed to have a great deal of difficulty sorting out his positioning in the first match. Sometimes he built up play between the central defenders. On other occasions, he operated as the sole defensive midfielder. At other times, he pushed forward as a part of a cast of rotating eights. The flexible Borussia Dortmund man never seemed to really be in rhythm.

In a 27-minute-relief shift in the second fixture, Groß stuck with a deep six positioning. He acted as a mostly secure actor, connecting with 83 percent of his passes and winning all three of his duels. No one could accuse him of being directly culpable on the Italian goals, though he didn’t exactly act with a lot of urgency off the ball.

Nadiem Amiri, FSV Mainz 05

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 93/180, Positions played = RW, RM, LM

Cumulative German Press Grade = 4,0

Author’s Cumulative Grade = C-

German football’s famous “megaphone crooner” ended up having little to say in his return to the national team after a long layoff. Looking rather uncomfortable as a right winger in Nagelsmann’s first tactical set-up, Amiri generated one scoring chance in the opening match with a set-up of fellow Mainzer international Jonathan Burkardt. Apart from that, there’s little positive to report.

Poorly taken set-pieces and a bad tactical foul marred his performance in the initial fixture. Coming on a substitute in the second, Amiri did look a bit more comfortable in his regular deep midfield position. He connected with all nine of his passes and appeared to have some confidence in his touch. Unfortunately, Amiri couldn’t compel the German game forward.

Jonathan Burkardt, FSV Mainz 05

Matches played = 1/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 45/180, Positions played = LS

Cumulative German Press Grade = 4,5

Author’s Cumulative Grade = C-

Burkardt did his level best to take advantage of his German national team starting XI debut, but ultimately ended up being subbed off at the half in the initial match. The former Germany U21 international arrived late on his only chance to score on an Amiri cutback. Some German press sources didn’t even end up grading Burkardt as he only accrued ten touches of the ball. It’s more than fair to say that his brief appearance remained totally inconclusive.

Maximilian Mittelstädt, VfB Stuttgart

Matches played = 1/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 90/180, Positions played = LWB

Cumulative German Press Grade = 4,25

Author’s Cumulative Grade = C-

Handed a start in the second match, Mittelstädt quickly sent a shot in on goal after just a few seconds. Before two minutes had elapsed, he set up Goretzka for another effort. For some reason, this would be just about all we would see from the Berlin-native. Mittelstädt failed to take advantage of plenty of space accorded him on the left. Touches were often sloppy and his crosses into the box frequently sailed in way off target.

Jonathan Tah, Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Matches played = 2/2, Matches started = 2/2

Minutes played = 180/180, Positions played = CB

Cumulative German Press Grade = 4,25

Author’s Cumulative Grade = D+

Nagelsmann ended up giving with the Bayer 04 Leverkusen maximum minutes even though he’s been in questionable form for both club and country recently. Tah remained very mistake-prone in both matches, making some egregiously bad passing and marking errors. Tah shouldered some of the blame for Italy’s lone goal in the opening leg. Another bad mark late might have seen Italy concede another.

A vital clearance early in the second match prevented Italy from scoring and he was largely stable until the German meltdown phase. Tah also got badly skinned by Moise Kean on Italy’s 2-3. Something about the 29-year-old’s game simply isn’t right at the moment. Tah currently experiences a form dip reminiscent of his problems during the 2020/21 campaign.

David Raum, RB Leipzig

Matches played = 1/2, Matches started = 1/2

Minutes played = 45/180,

Positions played = LB

Cumulative German Press Grade = 5,0

Author’s Cumulative Grade = D-

The Leipzig left-back’s well-documented failures on the opening goal in the opening leg led to Nagelsmann yanking him at the half. Raum didn’t merely fail to keep his line in that case, but also engaged in a needlessly rough foul and perplexingly sent a free-kick into no man’s land. It counts as unsurprising that he didn’t log a single minute in the second fixture.

GGFN | Peter Weis