Nagelsmann publicly praises Barcelona’s young prodigy ahead of Germany vs Spain clash | OneFootball

Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has heaped praise on Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal, praising him for his consistency during the 2023/24 season as well as during the Euros.

However, he made it clear that his focus is “not so much on Yamal but Jamal” as his team gears up for the Euro 2024 quarterfinal against Spain on Friday.

Yamal has been making waves for Spain, having put in scintillating performances for his national team during the tournament. His dynamic wing play, alongside teammate Nico Williams, has been a significant aspect of Spain’s success in the tournament.

On the other hand, Musiala has been a standout player for the host nation. He has scored three goals in four games, including a crucial goal in Germany’s round of 16 victory over Denmark.

Nagelsmann acknowledges Yamal’s danger

When asked about the potential threat posed by Lamine Yamal, Nagelsmann acknowledged the young Barcelona player’s talent but suggested that Germany might exploit his lack of experience.

“He is a big talent,” said the German coach as quoted by ESPN.

“He was really consistent this season, not many players are at his age, but his challenge now is to deliver that for many years.

Julian Nagelsmann is in awe of Lamine Yamal. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

“He has good qualities, he is very good one-on-one. You can’t always defend him, he is so variable, he goes inside and outside. His left foot is strong but he can use his right.

“We have to be prepared, but on the other hand, he does not have so much experience when things don’t go his way or opponents tackle stronger, but it’s not our plan to hit him in the socks,” he added.

There has been a lot of friendly banter

This sentiment about Spain’s youth and inexperience was echoed earlier by former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. In response, Yamal confidently stated that Spain would answer these doubts with their performance on the pitch.

Adding to the pre-match excitement, there has been some lighthearted banter between former Real Madrid teammates Joselu and Toni Kroos as well.

Joselu remarked that he hopes Friday’s game will mark Kroos’ last appearance, as Kroos is set to retire after Euro 2024. These comments have only served to heighten the anticipation surrounding the game.

As the countdown to kickoff continues, all eyes will be on the stars of the future and the strategies employed by their coaches. It’s a match that promises drama, skill, and the kind of football that makes the Euros such a beloved competition.