Ilkay Gündogan believes Germany can look forward to their quarter-final against Spain “with a smile” having already changed the mood in the country and fulfilled their objectives at Euro 2024.
The midfielder said that the challenge now is to seek perfection in order to apply the “ice on the topping” by continuing in the competition. To help them do so, their head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, revealed he had a plan to stop Spain dominating through Rodri, to deal with Lamine Yamal, who Gündogan insisted Germany did not plan to kick,and that the takers have already been named should the tie reach a penalty shootout.
“My focus is not on Yamal but Jamal [Musiala],” Nagelsmann said. “Lamine is a big talent. He is very good one-on-one and he is only 16. He goes inside and outside. His left foot is strong but he still uses his right. He is very good but he has less experience when it doesn’t go his way or when opponents tackle him stronger. We will see how he reacts if it gets a bit harder. We’re not going to kick him out of his socks.”
“We have a lot of quality ourselves. There are lots of ways you can face a team that likes the ball,” the coach added. “It is easier to play against the team that wants the ball when you have it yourself, so that is our ambition. But of course we won’t be able to do that for 90 minutes. Spain always press very high. They have a good transition game now: not so much tiki-taka but straight to goal. They create more chances than in the past. But there is always a risk and we will try to find a solution to that and I think we will tomorrow.
“It is complex but there is always a solution – that is a fact. Rodri is central but we have developed solutions and ideas so that he doesn’t always come into play.”
When it was put to Gündogan that this quarter-final was like a final, the 33-year-oldhe replied: “Well, yeah, every game is like a final now: that’s why it’s called quarter-, semi- and final. It’s do or die, go to the next round of not. It speaks well of both teams when people say that we are the best so far. That shows that we have done a lot of things right, but maybe not perfect. That is the challenge and maybe that is why the excitement is so high, because both teams are at such a good level. There is nothing better for a player or fan.”
“Compared to the opening game, I personally feel there is a difference,” the Barcelona player continued. “The first game, you don’t know what to expect, the pressure is high. People so badly wanted us to do well because of our recent history in tournaments, where we just haven’t been good enough. But we’ve played good football and now we’re in the quarter-final against an amazing opponent. We’re looking forward to it with a smile. From now on, it could be the ice on the topping, I think that’s how you say it? We have the responsibility to reach the same level or even better to have two more games to play.”
Asked about the possibility of penalties, Gündogan said: “I think the key word is ‘routine’. When you step up to take a penalty, the pressure in a game is different to training. I don’t believe you can replicate that in training, but you can replicate your routine, your breathing, getting calm. That’s the most crucial thing: to get your heart rate down, try to be cool and enjoy the moment. That’s the most difficult thing – otherwise, everyone would score.
“Even the best in the world miss. I think of [Harry] Kane, who is one of the best in the world. His finishing is amazing and he has missed them. It’s about having the guts to step up in crucial moments and you have to have respect for that because that situation is extraordinary and very, very difficult to deal with.”
Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente joked that he would ask Uefa if they would let his side tie Toni Kroos down in a bid to limit his influence on the game. “Kroos is a super-class, one of those people that football never leaves; instead he has decided to leave football, which is hard to understand for me,” De la Fuente said. “He’s a great player, with talent, charisma and control. It is a pity that he wants to leave football because as a fan I would love him to keep playing.”
“I praise Germany a lot so that we do not make the mistake of thinking that it’s done. They have lots of quality. This game will be very even. Germany are a great team that stands out because they have a really solid collective block and great individuals: Musiala, Wirtz, Gündogan, Kroos …
“Sometimes stats can say a player has completed 100% of his passes but they’re all four metres and there’s no benefit. That’s not the case with Kroos. I would tie him down but I don’t think Uefa will let us do that so we will have to limit his passing options, try not to let him receive the ball easily. I have never said we have a better team than Germany and if someone told you that they are conning you. But if you ask me which of their players I would like, I would not change my players for anyone. For me, my players arr the best in the world.”
