Only a few months ago, the future of the German national team was uncertain. 2023 saw Die Mannschaft suffer a series of humiliating results with Hansi Flick fired in September. At that point, there was a real fear within Germany that the national team would continue to embarrass itself at Euro 2024 on home soil.
Instead, Julian Nagelsmann’s team have caught the eye with a series of impressive performances with Germany now considered among the frontrunners to go all the way at its own tournament. Friday’s quarter-final against Spain promises to be the most compelling match of Euro 2024 so far with Germany more than capable of making the final four.
To do that Nagelsmann will need Jamal Musiala to be in form, which he has been in each of the matches he has played at the tournament so far. Nobody has scored more goals at Euro 2024 than the 21-year-old who has found the back of the net three times in just four outings. Musiala is the face of Germany’s next generation.
Of course, he’s not alone in being part of Germany’s next crop. Florian Wirtz is also a special talent, starting three matches at Euro 2024 after leading Bayer Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory last season. Nagelsmann has used Musiala and Wirtz as number 10s in a system designed to get them into space in between the lines.
At 25, Kai Havertz is older than Musiala and Wirtz, but the Arsenal forward has made himself Germany’s first-choice number nine with his movement and ability to create space for others around him. While Havertz could do with demonstrating a greater degree of sharpness in front of goal, his importance to the national team is clear.
Musiala, however, is out on his own as Germany’s next big thing. Already a key figure for club and country, the 21-year-old is an exhilarating talent with the ability to dribble, create and shoot. “When you see Jamal, you don’t tell him what to do, he can just do it,” said Nagelsmann about the talent level of his best young player.
Spain have their own prodigious young talents in the shape of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Luis de la Fuente’s team are the only side at this stage of Euro 2024 to still boast a 100% record. Spain now carry a more direct threat than they did in the Luis Enrique era. They could exploit Germany’s relative weakness in the full back areas.
Germany, however, have the quality to expose Spain’s weakness in the same part of the pitch with Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella not the most mobile of full backs. Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte also haven’t been tested at this tournament and so Musiala could give them something different to think about on Friday.
Nagelsmann has very quickly moulded a team in his own image since taking over as Germany manager nine months ago. Die Mannschaft play with the ball, but also boast verticality which makes them difficult to defend against. In Toni Kroos, Germany have one of the best midfield playmakers around. They also have dribblers, like Musiala, and space creators, like Havertz.
Euro 2024, however, is set up for Musiala to define as an emerging star. He has already achieved that to a certain extent. While the 21-year-old has been a first team figure for Bayern Munich for the last two seasons, this tournament has made him a household name in the way only a major tournament can.
Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign could end on Friday such is the strength of the Spain team they will come up against. Even if defeat in the quarter-finals happens, though, Musiala will have other major tournaments to lead his country into. Germany are in the midst of a generational transition and Musiala is at the heart of it.
Musiala could have played for England. He represented The Three Lions at youth level – U15, U16, U17 and U21 – and was pursued at senior level by Gareth Southgate. But while England’s young stars are struggling to make a mark on Euro 2024, Musiala is expressing himself on the biggest stage for Germany.
