Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann stated on Saturday that Germany hopes to carry on the “surge in spirit” that was unleashed at Euro 2024 when they play Italy in the second leg of their Nations League quarterfinal match in Dortmund.
Germany‘s 2-1 victory over Italy in the first leg in Milan on Thursday put them in the driver’s seat to go to the Nations League semifinals for the first time.
During the pre-match news conference, Baumann sat next to coach Julian Nagelsmann and assured reporters that the club would capitalise on the recent surge in off-field energy for the second leg on Sunday.
“I hope that the supporters at this stadium will assist us, encourage us, and make things very tough for the Italians.
“In the past few months, the national team has seen a real surge in spirit – and I think it will be the same tomorrow.”
Germany’s march to the quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual victors Spain in extra time, rekindled local support after facing back-to-back eliminations in the World Cup group stage and a last-16 departure at the previous Euros.
Baumann, the goalie for Hoffenheim, said that Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, which has 82,000 spectators, will help the team even more.
“The away team is coming here, and I am familiar with the stadium. It can become a strong force. It can carry a squad and can be quite noisy.
“It can be extremely unpleasant for an opposing team.”
Although the Dortmund stronghold benefited the home team, Italy defeated Germany in the 2006 World Cup semifinal there, scoring twice in extra time en route to winning the trophy.
Nagelsmann, who watched the game as a teenager, stated that he is “always not that happy when the German team doesn’t win,” but he also noted, “For me, it’s more important to talk about the present than the past. We must write our history and leave our mark on the history of football.”
Despite being happy with the first-leg performance, Nagelsmann stated that his team would not argue “whether to play it safe or extend our lead.”
“We’re going to start at Dortmund at 0-0. In this manner, we can avoid doing any calculations,” the 37-year-old coach stated.
Nagelsmann stated that injured Barcelona goaltender Marc-Andre ter Stegen was still the team’s first option in goal, despite Baumann’s several outstanding late saves in Milan.
“When he is fully recovered and prepared to compete, he is our top player. He is worthy of competing in a major competition. We will give him some time.”
According to Nagelsmann, Jonathan Burkardt, a striker who started for Milan, is unwell and may miss the game.
