Julian Nagelsmann has stressed the significance of Germany's recent 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland, acknowledging that the upcoming encounter in October will present a different challenge. The win, secured on Sunday, marks a vital step in Germany's World Cup qualifying campaign after a shaky start.
The match saw Germany overcome an early setback to dominate proceedings, with two goals in quick succession in the second half turning the tide. Florian Wirtz's stunning free-kick was a particular highlight, showcasing the team's attacking prowess. Serge Gnabry's seventh-minute opener was initially cancelled out by Isaac Price, but late goals from Nadiem Amiri and Wirtz sealed the victory for the home side.
Germany's dominance was reflected in the statistics, with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.81 from 11 attempts, compared to Northern Ireland's 0.28 from just three efforts. This attacking display was a welcome response to their previous 2-0 defeat to Slovakia, a loss that marked Germany's first-ever defeat in a World Cup qualifying campaign opener.
"Yes, it was an important win. We got the three points in our home game. At half-time, our fans were not that happy with the result and how we were playing," Nagelsmann said, acknowledging the pressure on his team. "Our start to the game was good. I think the lead was well deserved, the equaliser was the only shot on our goal. It was a brilliant shot but the longer the game the more power we got on the pitch. It was a well deserved win."
Despite the victory, Germany remains in third place in Group A, level on points with Northern Ireland. The two teams are set to face each other again next month, a match that Nagelsmann anticipates will be a tougher test.
Looking ahead, Nagelsmann's team will first face Luxembourg in October before travelling to Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park to take on Northern Ireland. "It will be tougher because it is not our home game. The fans over there will be brilliant," Nagelsmann said, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the away environment. "Tonight, we heard their fans and in Belfast they will be louder."
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill lamented his team's defensive lapses, particularly the soft defending that led to Amiri's goal. He also questioned the decision to award Wirtz's free-kick, despite acknowledging the quality of the finish. "We are very proud of the display, but there is a real sense of disappointment in the dressing room, which is understandable," O'Neill told BBC Sport.
O'Neill further highlighted the challenges his team faced due to a lack of squad depth. "This is a really tough game, the second game in a short period of time. It showed we weren't able to make changes. We just don't have the depth to cope in this situation," he explained. "For 60 or 65 minutes we were well in the game. The second goal is a bit of a freak goal. We could have defended it better. The third goal isn't a free-kick. It's a fantastic finish, but it's a soft free-kick. I thought the referee was a bit fussy in the second half. He refereed it well in the first."
O'Neill concluded by expressing his belief that his team was competitive for much of the match. "We were well in the game and needed to get to that final 15 minutes and we might have had a final chance, but the game drifted away from us." The upcoming match between the two sides promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to secure crucial points in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Germany will be aiming to build on their home victory, while Northern Ireland will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and demonstrate their resilience.
The game also shone a spotlight on the emerging talent within the German squad. Wirtz's performance, in particular, drew praise, with his stunning free-kick showcasing his technical ability and composure. The victory provides a platform for Nagelsmann to further develop his team and solidify their position in the qualifying group. However, the defensive vulnerabilities exposed during the match will need to be addressed if Germany is to mount a serious challenge for a place in the World Cup.
