On the one-year anniversary of his first game as Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann had reason to celebrate. His team secured a dominant 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League, a win that showcased a renewed sense of purpose and ambition under his leadership.
The victory, fueled by a stunning second-half strike from debutant Jamie Leweling, sent Germany into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time. Nagelsmann, who took over a team struggling after a series of disappointing results, has breathed new life into the German squad.
“The first half tonight was the best we’ve played this year,” Nagelsmann remarked, emphasizing the “greed” and hunger he saw in his team. “We did well and let very little in. We absolutely deserved to win.”
The win was a testament to the work Nagelsmann has put in over the past year. Since taking over, Germany has only suffered one loss, in extra time against eventual Euro champion Spain.
The team’s performance against the Netherlands was even more impressive considering they were missing several key players due to injuries. Deniz Undav, who scored a brace in Germany’s previous win over Bosnia, was ruled out before the game, providing Leweling with his unexpected opportunity. Nagelsmann was clearly impressed by the young debutant, admitting that he “didn’t expect him to play so well.”
The victory was a clear statement of intent from Nagelsmann and his team. They are not just content with qualifying for the knockout rounds, but are aiming for even greater things. “We’ve got the ambition to keep going. There’s a supercharged atmosphere in the dressing room — they want to win,” Nagelsmann shared, highlighting the newfound confidence and desire within the squad.
With the Nations League win, Germany is sending a clear message to the rest of the world: They are back, and they are hungry for more. Under Nagelsmann’s guidance, this team is poised to reclaim their position as a major force in international football.