Nagelsmann’s plan works: Mentality monsters seal World Cup spot | OneFootball

After the 0:2 humiliation in Slovakia at the start of the World Cup qualification, Julian Nagelsmann questioned fundamental aspects. "Maybe we really need to focus less on quality and more on players who just throw everything into it," complained the national coach. We have already implemented the idea for him.

Goal

Oliver Baumann: Emphasized again before the Slovakia game on the 'ARD' microphone, what a great privilege it was for him to stand in the German goal - and was the only one who then played accordingly. First international match at 34, as the third oldest DFB debutant of all time, you can't work your way up more than that.

Defense

Ridle Baku: Although not consistently a starting eleven candidate in Wolfsburg and from winter in Leipzig, the right-back completed the most sprints in the league (1031). When the possible showdown return match against Slovakia comes in early November, the four-time national player knows from experience: The warmest jacket is hard work.

Dominik Kohr: Nickname HardKohr. Any questions about the attitude? Saw no less than 11 yellow cards in the last three Bundesliga seasons. Only Stefan Effenberg has been cautioned more often in league history than the Mainz player. His total of seven dismissals also scratch the league record. Kohr throws himself into every duel without regard for losses.

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Patrick Mainka: If anyone always gives everything, it's the defense chief from Heidenheim. Hasn't missed a single Bundesliga minute for his FCH in over two years. Was also the Buli defender with the most won duels (338) in 2024/25.

Robin Gosens: The right attitude starts in the head and how the mental area is optimally adjusted, the Florentine by choice has studied in the truest sense of the word. With the bachelor graduate of a psychology degree, any crisis can be overcome.

Midfield

Merlin Röhl: Work smart, not hard. The Everton newcomer knows how to do this best. To secure a trial training at FC Ingolstadt at the beginning of his career, the sly fox simply doctored his own statistics. "I entered that I had given 15 assists and when I think back now: It was maybe five!", the Freiburg loanee revealed in an SWR interview. This speed of action is missing from the DFB team!

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Marvin Wanitzek: The KSC captain is not easily deterred. Has been dominating in the second Bundesliga for years and has nevertheless already turned down numerous offers from higher playing clubs. "Continuity and trust - that's not a given these days," Wanitzek describes his values in words at 'SWR' that Nagelsmann would so like to apply to his team.

Nicolai Remberg: Nickname Rambo. At Hamburg, either the ball or the opponent gets past, never both. The counter-security problem zone should thus be eliminated.

Attack

Nelson Weiper: Another man who is simply a step ahead in his head. Proved in a video on the Mainz social media channels that he is familiar with every capital of the world. He certainly won't forget any match plan.

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Fabian Reese: Without naming him, Nagelsmann recently revealed that he and his coaching team had considered nominating a striker from the second league before the 2024 European Championship. With his commitment and dynamic style of play, the Hertha captain quickly became a fan favorite and difference maker. Why not for Germany too?

Marius Bülter: Anyone who survives the offenses of Union, Schalke and Hoffenheim in a row and still performs (four scorers in the first two Bundesliga games for Cologne), must be indestructible.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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