“Am I a bad person because of that?”
With this question, Nagelsmann becomes clear
20.03.2025 – 9:48 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Before the international match against Italy, the national coach comments on his squadran.
First international match of the year, the classic against Italy-and for Leon Goretzka even the first international match in over a year: The midfielder of FC Bayern was last in November 2023 at the DFB-Elf, also missed the home European Championship 2024. Goretzka had not nominated Goretzka for the tournament-a serious stroke for the ambitious star. And at the beginning of the current season, FC Bayern was not optimal. In the meantime, however, the 30-year-old has fought his way back with the Munich team-and is now again with the German national team. And directly in the starting eleven against the European rival.
Before the game at the “Squadra Azzurra” in Milan, Nagelsmann clearly commented on the return action. “We talked about our two opinions in the summer, exchanged ourselves, found a common denominator and are now attacking again,” said Nagelsmann in the ARD. And further: “It goes without saying that every player is disappointed if he is not there at the European Championship. It is also not nice if you have to do it as a coach, but you just have to make this decision.”
The entertainment with Goretzka was knowledge -rich for both sides. “It was important to address the things that bothered him, the things that bothered me again, we did it and had a good conversation.”
Nagelsmann did not want to reveal what exactly was discussed when asked by Sedlaczek – and became clear: “Oh, that stays among us, we don’t have to chat all internals here now.”
However, the national coach further explained: “He had no easy time at Bavaria, handled it well, has now done his performance again. He plays a lot and plays well. That’s why he’s back.”
The non-nomination last year was only for reasons of performance: “I also said at the time that I did not want to contest his character.” Goretzka is “a good person, a totally good guy.” Then Nagelsmann asked a provocative question: “There are simply people who are more suitable for the first row, and people who are better suited for the second. I am not one for the second row either. So am I now a bad person? I don’t think.”
