by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Maximilian Mittelstaedt experienced a rollercoaster of events during his second 90 minutes in the German national team jersey.
Facing the Netherlands, the Stuttgart full-back transitioned from a stroke of misfortune that led to the Dutch side's 1-0 lead to scoring a remarkable goal in his second appearance for the national team. The 27-year-old's narrative could mark a new chapter in the history of the 2014 world champions.
In addition to the return of midfield star Toni Kroos, it's the newcomers selected by national coach Julian Nagelsmann who have revitalized the struggling German squad. Alongside Mittelstaedt, current high-flying players from the national league such as Union midfielder Robert Andrich, Deniz Undav, Waldemar Anton (both from Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern), Niklas Beste (Heidenheim), and Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) have received invitations. These so-called second-tier performers from smaller clubs carry hopes of making a last-minute entry into the Euro 2024 squad.
By filling gaps around top-performing regulars like Ilkay Guendogan and Kroos, Nagelsmann has reignited internal competition within the team's weaker areas. Mittelstaedt has surpassed former regulars like Leipzig's David Raum and former Bologna and Inter full-back Robin Gosens. Andrich, a robust fighter, has surpassed Bayern star Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich as the preferred choice alongside Kroos.
"We continue to prioritize players' performances in their respective clubs," Nagelsmann emphasized, adding, "Opportunities remain open until we finalize our Euro squad."
As a matter of fact, the former Bayern coach seems to have assembled a squad capable of delivering a satisfying tournament performance this summer. Against France and the Netherlands, the German manager relied on the same lineup, making late substitutions to replace tired players after intense moments.
Andrich exemplifies an unorthodox approach, as he consistently remains a candidate for a yellow card but reliably closes gaps. Mittelstaedt is meeting expectations defensively while also initiating attacks down the wing and supporting wingers such as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
Approaching games with four "tens" such as Musiala, Wirtz, Guendogan, and Havertz enriches the German game and adds unpredictability. "Players understand our expectations and must adhere to our strategies," the German coach stated.
Newcomers seamlessly integrate into the squad of established players, unlocking the team's potential. After facing criticism for reshuffling the squad ahead of the Euro, Nagelsmann's actions have paid off, ushering in a new era for German football. The generational shift has positioned Germany as one of the favorites for Euro 2024. ■
