Julian Nagelsmann is driving forward the personnel changes in the ailing national soccer team and, three months before the home European Championships, is without Leon Goretzka, according to a media report.
The FC Bayern Munich veteran surprisingly did not receive an invitation from the national coach for the test games in France (March 23) and against the Netherlands (March 26), the “Bild” reported without citing the source. Instead, according to information from the newspaper, Nagelsmann nominates Goretzka’s 19-year-old Munich midfield partner Aleksander Pavlovic for the first time, who is also being courted by the Serbian association.
A day earlier, the TV broadcaster Sky had reported without citing the source that the national coach would also appoint Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav for the first time.
Staff surprises announced
In addition, returnee Toni Kroos should be part of the squad for the two classic international matches for the first time in a long time. Goretzka could have been a logical sidekick to the Real Madrid boss in the team’s control center. Instead, the 29-year-old may even have to worry about his participation in the European Championship a few months before the start of the tournament.
With a view to the European Championships, Nagelsmann had already announced personnel surprises in a “Spiegel” interview at the end of February. “There will definitely be one or two people who won’t be nominated who many people think will definitely be there,” said the 36-year-old.
The fact that Pavlovic will be taking part in the upcoming tests instead of Goretzka according to “Bild” is definitely such a surprise. After previously mixed performances, Goretzka was recently an integral part of the Munich midfield center again and impressed with good performances such as the recent 8-1 win against FSV Mainz 05. Mostly at the side of the veteran: Pavlovic, who the Serbian association had also tried to recruit. But now Nagelsmann is probably getting ahead of the Serbs with his nomination – and Pavlovic can hope for his first senior international match. At the end of November he was used for the German U20.
Matthew: Pavlovic “don’t turn your head”
Record national player Lothar Matthäus spoke out against the youngster’s appointment. “He played great recently, you have to acknowledge that, but you shouldn’t turn the boy’s head,” wrote Matthäus in his “Sky” column. Pavlovic is not “already a candidate for the national team.” Nagelsmann obviously sees it differently. He will officially announce his squad for the two classics on Thursday (2 p.m.). In addition to Pavlovic, Anton, Mittelstädt and Undav, Jan-Niklas Beste from Bundesliga promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim and Maximilian Beier from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were recently considered debut candidates.
In “Spiegel”, Nagelsmann emphasized that he wanted to influence the mentality of the struggling DFB team with targeted nominations. He cited 32-year-old Pascal Groß from the English first division club Brighton as an example
