Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, admitted that his team will be nervous as they prepare to face Scotland in the first match of Euro 2024.
The hosts will be looking to end their eight-year wait for a play-off win at their biggest home competition this month but know Scotland will not make it easy for them in their Group A opener in Munich on Friday night (8pm BST). ).
🗣️ 'We're a little nervous'
German manager Julian Nagelsmann before their opening #Euro2024 game against Scotland#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/SOGUhzIsFZ
-BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 13, 2024
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Nagelsmann – who took charge of the three-time European champions nine months ago after Hansi Flick was sacked – said the camp was looking forward to it and 'I think we are ready'.
“We used the days well to train well. The boys seem to be in good form,” he added. “We are a little nervous but that is the important point. We should have some fear.”
He pointed out the dangers of Steve Clarke's side both inside and outside the box and said the Scots lacked pressure against Germany.
“Scotland are a very good team with four or five key players in their squad,” he said.
“They put in a lot of crosses. They have made great progress in the way they play football. Their mind is really amazing.
“We have more pressure than the Scots. We want to win the opening game. I also want us to believe in ourselves. We have good players and we have shown thinking in recent games. We have everything we need and we want to bring it to the field.”
He urged the fans of his old Allianz Arena to support Die Mannschaft, adding: “I want us to do everything we can to have a great competition.” I want the country to push us forward like Germany. Please let it be heard tomorrow in the stadium. I am confident that we will play a good game.”
Nagelsmann on tomorrow's game: “Scotland are a very good team with four or five important players in their squad. They put up a lot of crosses. They have made great progress in the way they play football. Their mind is really amazing. We are under pressure… pic.twitter.com/fME4JLPkKG
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 13, 2024
Nagelsmann has also lifted the lid on a plan to get Toni Kroos to end his international retirement after two years in order to complete his stint with Germany this summer.
“Toni is important to us, you can give him the ball at any time. He is an important player for all of us, especially for the younger players,” he said.
“It took me some time to persuade him. He said that he will only come back if he feels that we can win something with the team. And he said 'Yeah, let's do it.'”
Kroos retired after Germany's disastrous Euro 2020 campaign ended in the Round of 16 against England, and they were eliminated from the group at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I don't want to talk about the past,” said Nagelsmann. “It's about the present. We want to be more successful than in the past.
“It is important to start well tomorrow. There is no need to talk about past competitions.”
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