Germany Boss Nagelsmann Spreads Optimism After 2-2 Draw Against Mexico

With the 3-1 statement win over the US men’s soccer team out of the way, Germany got the required result in the second of two friendlies when they drew Mexico 2-2 in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Antonio Rüdiger (25’) and Niclas Füllkrug (51’) scored for Germany, and Uriel Antuna (37’) and Erick Sanchez (47’) were the two scorers for Mexico.

“We knew we could have done a few things better,” new Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann said after the game to Süddeutsche Zeitung. “But I have never trained a more teachable team; I am fascinated.” Nagelsmann added that he will stay in contact with the team ahead of the friendlies against Turkey and Austria. “By then, the team will be significantly improved.”

Although the US trip must be noted down as a success, there is still significant room for improvement. Just like was the case against the United States, Germany struggled against Mexico whenever they had to switch from attack to defense quickly. Rüdiger, in particular, made a lousy clearance attempt ahead of the first Mexico goal, and Niklas Süle had trouble in the quick transition.

Mexico’s coach, Jaime Lozano, quickly identified Germany’s weaknesses, by having his side stay compact in defense and fast in transition. It almost worked, as his side had the Germans on the brink of defeat after Sanchez scored an unlikely header to give Mexico the lead.

Füllkrug quickly equalized, however, and with Bundesliga games just around the corner, both teams then seemed to basically agree on a non-aggression pact for the rest of the second half. Indeed, both Lozano and Nagelsmann rotated heavily, making five and six substitutions, respectively, which also hurt the flow of the game, and were a reminder that essential league games are just around the corner.

The timing of the trip, with players flying back just four days of key Bundesliga games, was criticized by several coaches and functionaries in Germany. But despite the criticism, the US trip must be considered a success. Far away from the German media circus, Nagelsmann was able to have his squad together for a few days and plant the seed for a new culture among a national team desperate for an identity.

With that in mind, it was clear that not everything would be perfect in the first two games of a new era. “The form curve can’t go straight up,” Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan said to ARD after the match while underlying that there is now a strong sense of optimism among the players.

That optimism is fed by Nagelsmann. “I have told the team that I know that we can be successful,” Nagelsmann said. The 36-year-old is right to spread optimism. After all, Nagelsmann has a history when it comes to turning an impossible scenario into success in just short order.

Aged just 28, Nagelsmann rescued Hoffenheim from inevitable relegation in 2015/16 and then turned the Bundesliga side into a Champions League team within two seasons. At Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann simply unearthed existing talent but also made Hoffenheim play bigger than the sum of its part.

Playing bigger than the sum of its parts has always been the cornerstone of Germany’s success. On this US trip, Nagelsmann highlighted that he can not only get players like Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané to play up to their talent but that he could also form a unit of a group of players that have felt far too disjointed since winning the Confederations Cup in 2017.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth