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July 6 – Julian Nagelsmann defended Germany’s performance after their quarter-final exit from Euro 2024 in a 2-1 extra-time defeat at the hands of Spain, highlighting the team’s investment in the tournament and Toni Kroos’s class. He called on Germany to unite as a society.
Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute strike shattered Germany’s dream of reaching the last four and the final in Berlin, but Nagelsmann, who has had a wobbly time steering the national team back to the elite, believed that the hosts were the better team against La Roja.
“The whole game was too open and then in the second half we reacted with our personnel in a good way and we came better into the game,” said Nagelsmann.
“And after the 60th minute we were clearly the better team with many clear chances and towards the end I think that we scored was well deserved.”
“With the exception of the first five minutes of the second half of extra time I think it was almost only us who wanted to win. We had the chances, we missed the goal only by two centimetres so I think we were really into the game and then with the last chance we conceded.
“I don’t know if we opened up too much, if we risked too much, if someone wants to ask me that question I would say no. But unfortunately in that situation we didn’t have enough pressure on the wing and Dani Olmo was able to play this super nice cross.”
A controversial moment perhaps decided the match as Germany claimed a penalty in extra time when Jamal Musiala’s shot hit the hand of Marc Cucurella, but English referee Anthony Taylor did not award a spot kick. UEFA had apparently briefed officials on handballs, arguing that they should not award a penalty when the arm, close to the body, points predominantly downward and/or is in a position behind the line of the body.
“I don’t want to talk too much about it but I want to use this stage here just to talk about football in general also for others maybe,” said Nagelsmann.
“It…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/07/06/nagelsmann-pays-tribute-kroos-team-united-nation/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-07-06 10:28:11
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