In Julian Nagelsmann we trust: Germany rises again

The Germany men’s national team is back. And they aren’t going anywhere.

In the two international periods since EURO 2024, former Bayern Munich and current Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has shown that the revitalization of Die Mannschaft is not just real — it is only the beginning.

There was always the risk of stumbling. Progress does not always come in leaps and bounds, and for all the goodwill the EURO hosts generated during the tournament, they did only advance to the quarterfinals. And Germany has bid goodbye to many of the towering squad figures that were a part of that squad — honoring Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, İlkay Gündoğan and Toni Kroos in a fitting send-off at the Allianz Arena on Monday prior to a UEFA Nations League match vs. the Netherlands.

But this is not the stumbling Germany team of yesteryear. Rebuild? More like reload.

The energy was clear straight from the opening kick. The Germans applied overbearing pressure, pulling apart the Dutch defense at the seams, and newcomer Jamie Leweling fired into the back of the net inside of two minutes. The goal would be chopped off for offside — but no matter. The relentlessness continued.

A Dutch side accustomed to building patiently and successfully found itself suffocated, losing the ball repeatedly in their own half as the German attack came again, and again, and again. When the Dutch did advance, the Germans were resolute in defense — and launched lethal-looking counters that, but for a lack of chemistry in this current group, might have resulted in more goals faster.

It has all the hallmarks of Nagelsmann’s brand of football, a continuation and evolution of his days as Bayern boss. Arrows down all sides on the counter. Tight, compact build-up with overloads in the half-spaces, then players freed in behind. Strikers? What strikers. The goals will come from anywhere.

Two of Germany’s best chances came off the boot of left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt. And the star of the day, winger Jamie Leweling, the man who would not be denied — finally got his goal on the third try.

Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images

The 23-year-old VfB Stuttgart man was never supposed to be here. Leweling was only a rotational player last season. A year ago, he didn’t make a single league start while at Union Berlin. This season, he has broken into the Stuttgart XI — but was only a late addition to Germany’s October squad, after an injury to Bayern Munich sensation Jamal Musiala. And he only made the lineup on Monday after forward and club teammate Deniz Undav — the hero of Germany’s first match this October — was a late injury scratch himself.

But on the field, he was Jamie-on-the-spot, from his first minutes to his last. Leweling exemplified the Nagelsmann winger: dynamic, impetuous, and arriving at the right place at the right time to thrash home a shot. After his early disallowed goal, Leweling ran on to another free ball in the 28th minute, striking from the penalty spot. It deflected off a defender just in front of goal as keeper Bart Verbruggen stood rooted to the spot. Finally, on the third try, he hit pay dirt in the 64th minute: again a free ball, again arriving uncontested, and again getting his shot on target. This time, it would be the winner.

That is the new way for Germany. Nagelsmann tried his striker-less best at Bayern but could not succeed with Sadio Mané. Bayern acquired Harry Kane after he left, but Germany does not have the luxury of a traditional No. 9, and its top options — Undav and Arsenal FC’s Kai Havertz, who is quietly having another impressive season for the Gunners — are far from traditional center-forwards. The goals will have to come from everywhere, fashioned through intricate combinations, unpredictable and varying. Players will need to know how to pick their spots and place their shots in this structured chaos.

Leweling did just fine on his debut — far more than anyone expected, really. And that is what makes this young, dominance Germany team all the more impressive: they are just revving up their engines.

The October edition of the Germany squad was wracked by injury. Musiala, Havertz, left-back David Raum, winger Leroy Sané — all were unavailable. What the absences have revealed, though, is a deep pool of talent that all seem ready to step in and work within the existing system. Nagelsmann, it would appear, is a coach that knows exactly what he wants, and how to find it. The new midfield duo of Angelo Stiller (23, Stuttgart) and Aleksandar Pavlović (20, Bayern) looked as steady and in sync as long-standing veterans. Both new keepers, Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann and Bayern’s Alexander Nübel, looked ready to lead from the back.

How far can this group go, with another year and change to cohere?

Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images

International periods have an uneasy place in the busy hierarchy of a competitive season. For players, wearing a national team jersey is a measure of pride — but the games don’t mean much, and clubs take priority. You never know what kind of lineup or effort you will get from an opponent.

But Nagelsmann appears to be maximizing them. He is done with the big experiments. Every stage now is a mini-audition for the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup, and the pool of players able to execute his system is growing and growing.

For a Germany team that had been adrift for so long, scrambling just in time to cobble together a makeshift identity for tournaments, it is a refreshing change of pace. Under Nagelsmann, Germany is fun again — and it looks like they are here to stay.

Looking for more thoughts and analysis from Germany’s 1-0 victory over the Netherlands? Awesome, then we have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show where our Jack Lauschway breaks down the match. Jack gives you all the analysis you need from the game, along with where the German national team might be headed. You can get the podcast on Patreon, Spotify, and below:

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