Even after Deniz Undav netted the decisive goal in Germany’s recent win against Ghana, national team coach Julian Nagelsmann maintained his stance on the Stuttgart striker. Despite Undav’s exceptional form at his Bundesliga club, Nagelsmann underscored that the 29-year-old is not yet considered a starting player for the national squad.
Ongoing Verbal Exchange Between Nagelsmann and Undav
Nagelsmann had previously minimized Undav’s importance to the national team in an interview, prompting a direct reply from Undav. Subsequently, Nagelsmann appeared to be on the defensive when discussing Undav’s latest national team inclusion at a DFB press conference.
Undav stayed on the bench for Germany’s 3-4 away victory over Switzerland. He entered the game against Ghana as a substitute at halftime. Nagelsmann highlighted that Undav had been relatively quiet and unnoticeable for most of his time on the field before scoring the crucial second goal against the Ghanaian team.
Nagelsmann’s Continued Criticism
At the post-match press conference, Nagelsmann stated, “He is welcome to exert pressure on me for selection. However, until his 88th-minute goal, I didn’t rate his performance highly. He had very few opportunities, in fact, none, and hardly touched the ball.”
Nagelsmann further elaborated, “Leroy Sané provided an excellent assist, and Undav’s finish was straightforward. Nevertheless, he scored. The key takeaway is his ability to convert chances when opponents are fatigued, which he did effectively as a fresh substitute.”
Concluding his remarks, Nagelsmann pointed out, “Given the intense heat expected in the USA this summer, impactful substitutes will be vital for deciding games. I believe I’ve sufficiently addressed this topic. He is a substitute; that is his designated role, and this concludes the week-long discussion about Deniz Undav.”
Undav’s Perspective on His Role
In the mixed zone, Undav commented, “It had been a while since I played, and naturally, upon coming on, I hoped to score. I’ve noticed and am very grateful for the strong support from German fans over the past week.”
Undav added, “While I understand my current role, I believe it can evolve with each goal. Ultimately, the coach makes the decision, but I’m determined to enhance my position. Nagelsmann’s assessment is fair, yet I’ve demonstrated at Stuttgart my capability to contribute effectively, whether starting or coming off the bench.”
He concluded by stating, “I am a creative, goal-scoring player, and I can showcase that ability throughout a full 90-minute match.”
