Germany upbeat as final World Cup preparations begin
As the German men's national football team embark on their final preparations for the World Cup at their base camp in North Carolina, they're looking
As the German men's national football team embark on their final preparations for the World Cup at their base camp in North Carolina, they're looking to make amends for disappointing tournaments in Russia and Qatar. "We have excellent conditions here, both on the pitch and off it," Germany coach Julian Nagelsman told reporters a few hours after the team's arrival at Wake Forest University campus in Winston-Salem, USA. "If you feel comfortable and can prepare well, the likelihood of playing good matches increases. And if you deliver good performances, the chances of success rise, too," added the 38-year-old, who is about to take part in his first World Cup. The location was selected a something of a retreat, as the distances to be covered in the first World Cup jointly staged by three countries, the USA, Canada and Mexico, make this tournament a Herculean task. "We have been preparing for nearly two years. Our travel experts have visited the site frequently to ensure that the team's quarters and all organizational matters cannot serve as excuse for any lack of sporting success," the German FA's (DFB) managing director, Andreas Rettig, told DW. This will be Julian Nagelsmann's first World Cup Image: Federico Gambarini/dpa/picture alliance Rumor has it that the team hotel, the Graylyn Estate, is haunted by Nathalie Gray, the wife of the man who built the castle-like structure in the 1920s. After two disastrous World Cup campaigns, in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, where Germany failed to reach the knockout phase — the national team is under increased pressure to deliver.
Saturday's 2–1 victory over the United States in a friendly in Chicago helped create a positive atmosphere among the team and staff. "It was an important win. Nine consecutive victories are good for confidence," Nagelsmann said. "Overall, I am very satisfied." Neuer's calf Still, the head coach knows his team still has room for improvement; the strain of travel, high temperatures, and a different type of pitch than they are used to all provided new challenges. Not just that, but the first-choice goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, back from international retirement, was forced to sit out due to a lingering calf injury. However, there is no cause for alarm, assured Sporting Director Rudi Völler. "We are talking about Manuel Neuer here. He is a world-class goalkeeper who has seen it all in his career and has plenty of experience," Völler said. "None of us need to worry about Manuel. Especially since we also have Oliver Baumann." In what had long seemed like Germany's worst-kept secret, late last month Nagelsmann brought Neuer back when he named his squad, thereby relegating Oliver Baumann to understudy. "It was tough at first, of course. It didn't feel great, to be honest," Baumann told German broadcaster RTL. "But it was immediately clear to me that I would be there for the team. I didn't even consider not coming. I want to help the squad and make my contribution." New look in defensive midfield Overall, Germany seems to be on the right track.
The BriefWire