Germany will clash with either Spain or Georgia in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals following their seamless 2-0 victory over Denmark last Saturday.
With goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala in the latter half, Germany secured their spot in the next round despite the match seeing three goals disallowed and a lengthy delay caused by a storm in Dortmund.
Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged the team’s dominance throughout the match but noted some areas require enhancement before they progress to battle either Spain or Georgia.
“We kicked off with intense energy, possibly our peak in the tournament until the rain disruption threw us off,” Nagelsmann reflected.
“While Denmark was subdued in the first half, they ramped up the aggression later. We have to refine our patience during build-ups and seize opportune moments,” he expounded.
When queried whether the expectations from fans would amplify after this first knockout win in eight years, Nagelsmann answered, “There’s no extra burden beyond the usual. The team thrives on fan expectations—it’s a motivational surge.”
“We’re accustomed to the pressure—it’s a distinct honor. We remind the players of this privilege,” he added.
Nico Schlotterbeck experienced a rollercoaster game; initially believing he had scored, only for it to be overturned by VAR. Yet, he contributed to Musiala’s goal, aligning with his manager’s positive sentiments.
“It was a sterling performance and I reckon the Dortmund crowd relished it as much as we did,” Schlotterbeck commented. “The inclement weather pause didn’t dampen our spirits. Full of zest and zeal, we now head to Stuttgart for the quarter-finals,” he concluded.
