Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has called on his side to avoid any sort of pressure which Scotland will look to take advantage of, when they play their first game as hosts on the 2024 European Championship on Friday.
The 36-year-old also stated that the self-belief and hunger for success among his charges is also going to be a big propeller in their quest to be crowned European kings.
Understanding his players will no doubt feel the necessary pressure, the former Bayern and RB Leipzig manager insisted the team is fit and prepared to go.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Nagelsmann said: “Scotland isn’t a team full of world stars but that makes them dangerous because they are very agile players who give everything with classic Scottish mentality.”
“When I look in my players’ eyes… I see a lot of belief and a lot of confidence, which is what I want… we have the home advantage, we want to win.
“We can beat pressure, and we can beat Scotland as well.”
Germany have lifted the World Cup on four occasions and have three European Championship titles under their belt but their international reputation has been somewhat been kicked with a series of disappointing outing since their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.
They went out of the following two editions of the World Cup in the group stage, their worst performance in over 80 years, and also crashed out of the last Euros in the round of 16.
“We will have more pressure on us than Scotland and they will want to capitalise on that,” added Nagelsmann.
Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan chipped in, saying Nagelsmann gave the players clarity and also a sense of calm which had aided the team.
“The coach gives us confidence, a clear direction, he has discussed roles with us… everyone knows what is expected of them and can give their all on the pitch, and that helps us a great deal after the negative experiences of the last tournaments.
“No other game is like the first one, because then you can use that momentum and that euphoria for the next few games, and that is why the most important objective tomorrow is to win the game.”
