By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Before kick-off, as the national anthems played in the Freiburg arena, millions of TV viewers were touched when German players removed their training tops to keep ball girls and boys warm.
Low autumn temperatures had left the youngsters shivering, and the gesture created a warm atmosphere, which was followed by further positive moments in the UEFA Nations League match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, as Germany cruised to a 7-0 victory.
With their win in Group 3 already secured, Julian Nagelsmann's side continued their successful run in 2024.
The final match of 2024 on home soil not only demonstrated that the long-struggling 2014 FIFA World Cup champions are back among the top football nations, but also showcased the emergence of their striking partnership in 21-year-olds Jamal Musiala (Bayern) and Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen).
No significant action seemed to happen without their involvement, and fans have taken to calling the duo the "Wusialas," a nickname derived from their last names.
Wirtz scored his first-ever direct free-kick goal before adding a second, while Musiala described his opening goal as "the first decent header I've made."
Musiala's tally of nine goals and four assists in Bayern's shirt this season, along with his seventh goal for the national team in 37 appearances, underscores his development. The Bayern forward, who spent part of his youth in England, appears to be on the verge of extending his contract with the club.
"He has significantly improved his game by coming more through the middle," said German record international Lothar Matthaeus. "They will be the decisive factor on the way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup."
The new position allows Musiala to score from distance as well as headers, and what he calls "the easy goals in the box." He has focused on becoming more effective by playing centrally rather than always operating from the wings.
Wirtz is thriving under the freedom given to him by Nagelsmann, which against Bosnia-Herzegovina resulted in two goals and an assist.
The team's pressing was close to perfect, said coach Nagelsmann, who praised the squad's internal competition and hunger as key driving forces.
While Wirtz's future remains uncertain, Musiala indicated that a decision about his contract will be made during the winter break, with an extension with Bayern looking likely until at least the summer of 2026.
The highly sought-after Wirtz, who is contracted with Leverkusen until 2027, is reportedly drawing interest from clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, with offers exceeding the 100-million-euro mark.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their futures, both young talents are currently enjoying the resurgence of the national team and seem determined to make their mark at the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 Nations League. ■