Germany will destroy everyone at Euro 2024 and you are not ready for it! Julian Nagelsmann is building a super tactic with Musiala and Wirtz and an incredible left-back you've never heard of before! Bayer's stars will activate the beast mode, Toni Kroos will go all-in, and...wait, is the Bundestim's path to the home final already predetermined?

Let's get started and see what this whole thing is about!

Germany after Nagelsmann's appointment

In September 2023, the German national team appointed Julian Nagelsmann as its new manager. The former Bayern Munich boss was supposed to improve the atmosphere within the DFB team after unsuccessful results with Hansi Flick at the 2022 World Cup.

Nagelsmann got things going with a 1-3 away win against the United States in a friendly, but no consistency came with it. Then the Germans recorded a 2-2 draw versus Mexico, followed by their downfall - a 2-3 defeat to Turkey and a 0-2 loss to Austria. Nagelsmann's work did not look convincing, to say the least...

However, in 2024, 'Die Mannschaft' entered the tournament rebooted, and demonstrated significant progress! Since the Germans are the hosts of Euro 2024, they did not compete in the qualifiers, but took on strong opponents in friendly matches. On March 23, Nagelsmann's side beat France 2-0, three days later they outplayed the Netherlands 2-1.

According to Julian, Germany is now finding its game, gaining form, and is highly motivated to win the home European Championship in style:

"I want to win the tournament, but also get the fans out of their seats. I understand that football is an entertainment business. I don't just want to win, but also capture the imagination,” says Nagelsmann.

But are the Germans' chances really that good? And what kind of football did Nagelsmann play so that his team would be feared at Euro 2024?

German football under Nagelsmann

The most impressive thing about Julian Nagelsmann's work lies in his experiments. In the first matches, the new German coach showed unconventional ideas. Nagelsmann pulled off his most unexpected move in November against Turkey and Austria. In those meetings, Kai Havertz left his usual position as a striker and instead operated as a left back! In his new position, it took Havertz five minutes to score a goal!

Besides, the DFB team boss was actively changing formations: we saw a 4-2-3-1 against the USA, a shift to a 4-4-2 setup with Turkey, and a 3-4-2-1 system with Austria.

However, in 2024 Nagelsmann finally realized what exactly he wanted! The Germans eventually chose the tactical shape of 4-2-3-1! Julian established a possession-based approach with aggressive press, abandoning the concept of traditional wingers. Instead, he prioritized two insides, who were given the false wingers' functions.

Moreover, there are great demands on the full-backs - Nagelsmann wants the defense flanks to actively move into the other half of the pitch and help others in the attacking phase.

When it comes to defense, Die Mannschaft uses a mid-block in the 4-2-4 formation and systematically prevents opponents from gaining an advantage in the midfield.

But what is even more interesting than Nagelsmann's tactics is the squad he will take to the Euros! Julian was heavily criticized for what he did, but in fact, his decisions seem to be pretty intriguing!

Germany's squad under Nagelsmann

At Euro 2024, Germany will have as many as four goalkeepers, though it will still be either Manuel Neuer or Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the starting lineup. Joshua Kimmich will play on the right in defense, while Jonathan Tah, who delivered a fantastic season at Bayer Leverkusen, as well as Antonio Rüdiger, who is currently at the peak of his form at Real Madrid, will play in the center of defense. However, on the left, we are expecting a major surprise named Maximilian Mittelstädt!

Over the past 12 months, the guy's career has undergone an incredible transformation! Last year, Mittelstädt got relegated from the Bundesliga with Hertha BSC, but moved to Stuttgart for €500,000 and turned into one of the most powerful full-backs in the league in just a year!

He netted a brilliant strike in a friendly against the Netherlands and will play for Germany at the European Championships this summer. Moreover, next season, Mittelstadt will even participate in the Champions League - the Swabians qualified for it by taking second place in the Bundesliga! What a turnaround!

In the midfield, Nagelsmann will count on the irreplaceable Toni Kroos and Robert Andrich, Bayer Leverkusen's sensation. Now he has a great influence on the national team's performance.

Above those two, Germany will feature a stellar trio of Ilkay Gündogan as an attacking midfielder with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz as the two insides. These two are arguably the biggest talents in European football right now, with the potential to win Ballon d'Or awards in the future!