Nagelsmann takes on Rüdiger: "The limit has been reached"

National coach Julian Nagelsmann aims to emulate European champions Spain and has declared a title as his goal in the dress rehearsal a year before the World Cup. "Of course we want to win both games, we'd love to win the title. We want to boost our confidence. We want to get to the point where we can win titles – even if it's a small one," the head coach said in Herzogenaurach.

Next Wednesday (9 p.m.) the Nations League semifinal against Portugal is scheduled for Munich. The Spanish triumphed in the tournament two years ago and followed up with the European Championship title in Germany a summer later.

"The Spanish team has realized how important the Nations League can be. It can be a mini-European Championship," said the 37-year-old Nagelsmann, explicitly recalling the euphoric celebrations of the Iberians in the summer of 2023. Spain is also still represented in the competition. The defending champions will play the second semifinal against World Cup runners-up France in Stuttgart on Thursday (9:00 p.m.).

At the press conference, Nagelsmann also sharply criticized defender Antonio Rüdiger after his outburst. "He knows my opinion that it's not good and that the limit has been reached. He also knows that this can't happen again, otherwise there will be major consequences. We are very transparent," said the national coach.

The 32-year-old is one of the vice-captains behind captain Joshua Kimmich. "At some point we have to accept the apology. He's in the opportunity phase now. That's over for me, too. I look forward to better behavior in the future," Nagelsmann said to his defensive leader.

Nagelsmann has already resolved the first personnel issue: Marc-André ter Stegen is the starting goalkeeper. "Marc will be the number one, I've emphasized that many times. I'm very confident he'll play in two top games," said the national coach. The 33-year-old from FC Barcelona has been out for months due to a torn patellar tendon.

Ter Stegen's last international appearance to date was in a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in September 2024. The goalkeeper finished the 2024 European Championship at home without playing a single minute, as ter Stegen was still the number two behind Manuel Neuer at the time. Neuer ended his career in the German national team jersey after the European Championship. Alongside ter Stegen, Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) and Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart) are available.