by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Enthusiastic fan chants filled the Frankfurt arena as a determined team pushed its way to success, impressing pundits. The German national team seems rejuvenated after a remarkable transformation.
"We see and feel something that wasn't there before," remarked Real star Toni Kroos, the driving force behind the 2014 World Champions, upon his return after an absence of over two years.
"The team went through dark times and many months of drought, but we managed to build up faith and confidence in these two games and our training sessions," the midfielder stated.
Having defeated France (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-1), two of Europe's leading sides, feels like a refreshing restart without inherited burdens for the German national team.
The fundamental changes implemented by national coach Julian Nagelsmann have sparked a new spirit and opened doors for bold dreams, as not only German record international Lothar Matthaeus has redefined new goals for the Euro tournament host.
"From what I see, the team can win the trophy this summer," said the 63-year-old former midfielder, who has been capped 150 times, referring to the Euro taking place from June 15 to July 15 in ten German arenas.
Just in time, Nagelsmann pressed the emergency button, leaving out established forces and relying on a strict performance pattern, only selecting players currently performing at a high level, regardless of the number of internationals in the German shirt.
Last autumn, Germany seemed to have hit rock bottom, suffering from two disappointing defeats against Turkey and Austria.
"We are back on track as we feel a new spirit, and things are going much better for everyone and the entire team," said Bayern full-back and midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
Stuttgart full-back and national team newcomer Maximilian Mittelstaedt spoke of "something big" on the way.
Nagelsmann's strategy to outline clear areas of responsibility for each of his players has created stability, while the coach has returned to a more conservative line-up, paying attention to the team's defense.
A back row of four with two midfielders ahead is allowing offensive forces such as Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Ilkay Guendogan, and Kai Havertz to initiate surprising attacks.
With Mittelstaedt and Kimmich, the German coach seems to have solved the full-back problem that the team had been suffering from for several years.
With Union midfielder Robert Andrich, Nagelsmann seems to have found the holding six, covering the defensive midfield part aside from conducting Kroos.
While several newcomers and returnees enjoy the upswing, left-out players such as Dortmund's stars Mats Hummels, Niklas Suele, Emre Can, and Julian Brandt, aside from Bayern's Leon Goretzka, are in danger of missing Euro 2024.
Regarding his job as a project focused solely on the Euro outcome, Nagelsmann has instilled confidence by creating a tight-knit community.
Both recent victories have revitalized Germany's national team, and as a side effect, previously disappointed fans are once again backing their team. ■
