Germany’s Tactical Spark: Nagelsmann Praises Gnabry and Reframes Kimmich’s Role in a 4-0 Luxembourg Win

Performance and Tactics

Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, said that their 4-0 win over Luxembourg in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup came at the perfect time, noting that the team showed a clear desire to win from the start, despite some tactical notes.

In comments carried by Sky Germany, he added: "Not everything was perfect, but we did many things right. The desire was certainly there, even if we could have scored more. The opponent defended deeply, and their block grew deeper after the red card."

He continued: "When you face a team that sits deep with all players behind the ball, having an extra man after the red card isn't decisive. In the end, we deserved the win, which we needed badly. We pressed well and retrieved the ball quickly, but it's always hard to create chances when the opponent defends in their own half."

Key Players and Roles

Gnabry's performance: "He played extremely well. It was important that he dropped back to cover transitions — you need that even against a team like Luxembourg. Gnabry fulfilled this role superbly and was very effective offensively."

On the starting lineup: "Right now we have the most Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund players in the squad. Bayern is having a terrific season, and while foreign players like Kimmich and others have important roles, German players are also decisive. Alexander Pavlovic has started getting regular minutes, Jonathan Tah has improved, and Joshua Kimmich has maintained a high level."

Kimmich position: "I don't want to lock myself into a single position. In the last call, I clung to it too much, then there were talks about retreating—this does not help anyone. In the end, the captain must decide on the pitch, and that is what I did with him."

He added: "In our system, when we have the ball, Kimmich plays in the same area as with Bayern; the only thing that changes a little are his defensive duties."

Gnabry: "We wanted to win through performance, not just the scoreboard."

"I feel it's about confidence more than changing my style; I'm enjoying a good run this season, and scoring again gives me a wonderful feeling."

Goretzka: "There is a noticeable improvement from the previous matches; we can be satisfied with the performance and the result; the red card for the opponent early helped us, but we stayed focused."

Raum: "Scoring my first goal for the national team in my 31st cap is an indescribable feeling, especially here in my old stadium."

Raum added: "I'm working on improving free kicks and set pieces after every training session."

Defensive stability: "Our aim was to finish the match with a clean sheet, and we achieved it; the red card helped, but our defense was well organized and the goalkeeper barely tested."

The win restored balance and confidence in the squad; the team looked more cohesive, and the link between Bayern players and others was evident. Nagelsmann steered the match with smart tactical balance, balancing attacking daring with defensive discipline, leaving the field victorious from start to finish.

The four-goal result was more than a big scoreline; it was a clear message that the Mannschaft is regaining its spirit on the road to the World Cup.

Punchline 1: If strategy were poetry, Germany just wrote a four-kilometer sonnet—long, elegant, and offside-free.

Punchline 2: The defense was tighter than my search history—no leaks, plenty of clean sheets, and a victory lap for the camera.