Christian Pulisic
Germany hit Chicago for a matchup against the USMNT in the squad’s final World Cup tune-up.
While the game was far from pretty, the Germans did have to gut it out despite being outplayed for large portions of the match. It was odd to say the least, and Julian Nagelsmann will have his work cut out for him in the coming days to determine how to best move forward.
Either way, it was a 2-1 win for the Germans, so let’s get into it — here are some quick hitters on the match:
As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- This was as expected — if Deniz Undav was going to sit as a precaution (which he did until the last half hour), Kai Havertz slid into his spot. Moreover, it shocked no one that Leroy Sané filled in at right wing for the injured Lennart Karl.
- Germany got on the scoreboard very early on a set-piece where Joshua Kimmich whipped in an outswinger that found a streaking Kai Havertz for an easy header goal and a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
In the 12th minute, Sergiño Dest sent in a great cross for the USMNT, but no one could get on the end of it.
The USMNT deserves credit as it was giving the Germany backline some problems. That could be a bad sign for the tourney.
Sané and Jamal Musiala had some trouble getting into the flow of the game through 30 minutes. Florian Wirtz was not great, either. As a unit, Germany was sloppy and the game was equally as messy.
Sané got sent in on a great ball, but his touch betrayed him and killed a potential opportunity.
We were hoping to see a rejuvenated Musiala after his goal vs. Finland, but it was more of the same. If Germany opts to start both Musiala (in his current form) and Sané because of Undav’s injured butt cheek, this could get dicey in the group stage.
In the 37th minute, a USMNT corner attempt resulted in the ball being cleared out toward the top of the box. Unfortunately for Germany, Antonee Robinson ran into it and hit an absolute rocket for one of the great goals you will see. Just pure power and placement to knot the game at 1-1. Germany needed to wake up and quickly.
Robinson was extremely active and it is easy to point out he was having a decent game when he scored, but he was finding ways to get into advanced areas and frustrate Germany.
The Germans were shell-shocked after the goal and looked as if they just got drilled by a haymaker. Their legs looked woozy to say the least. If we are being honest (this is a safe zone), Germany was getting worked.
Oh, and Jonathan Tah was a mess, too, so there is that.
We got a little reprieve from seeing the version of Nagelsmann that is reluctant to adapt and falls back on his comfort level with certain players. If you were wondering, that version of him is still there and ready to pop out on a moment’s notice.
The half would end at 1-1, but Germany looked clueless and tired for the final 35 minutes.
In the 48th minute, Oliver Baumann made a terrific double-stop, even if it was ruled offside. Germany was toast. A minute later, Matt Freese denied Felix Nmecha to keep the game knotted.
Sané airmailed a free kick attempt in the 54th minute.
Germany’s backline struggled against the USMNT attacking group, which — newsflash — is nowhere near the level of France, England, Argentina, Brazil, etc.
Sané would make up for some lackluster play with a goal in the 57th minute. The shot deflected off the heel of a USMNT player to befuddle United States goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Nathaniel Brown won 7 of his 9 ground duels, but did struggle with positioning. It will be interesting to see if Nagelsmann leans back toward David Raum to start the World Cup. Luckily for Brown, Raum was not great during his stint in the match.
Undav came on as a sub, so…maybe he is back to the bench after all?
Brenden Aaronson took a nice rip at Baumann in the 87th minute, but the veteran goalkeeper made a terrific save.
Tensions flared a few different times, hopefully that was enough to wake up the Germans for the tournament.
Overall, Nagelsmann is going to have to figure some things out. Karl might be young, but he brought something different to the table and was effective. Undav has a better feel for how to flow in Nagelsmann’s attack should be than any of the other players in the mix (which makes it all the more puzzling why Nagelsmann has doubts about him). Maybe the worst thing that happened, though, was that this game opened up a million question that Nagelsmann has to be asking himself — and that is a problem. Already a guy who struggles to commit to a personnel group, a lineup, and a formation, Germany’s subpar performance might cause Nagelsmann’s brain to go into overdrive. If you survived his era at Bayern Munich, you know that can be a very bad thing.
This was as expected — if Deniz Undav was going to sit as a precaution (which he did until the last half hour), Kai Havertz slid into his spot. Moreover, it shocked no one that Leroy Sané filled in at right wing for the injured Lennart Karl.
Germany got on the scoreboard very early on a set-piece where Joshua Kimmich whipped in an outswinger that found a streaking Kai Havertz for an easy header goal and a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
In the 12th minute, Sergiño Dest sent in a great cross for the USMNT, but no one could get on the end of it.
The USMNT deserves credit as it was giving the Germany backline some problems. That could be a bad sign for the tourney.
Sané and Jamal Musiala had some trouble getting into the flow of the game through 30 minutes. Florian Wirtz was not great, either. As a unit, Germany was sloppy and the game was equally as messy.
Sané got sent in on a great ball, but his touch betrayed him and killed a potential opportunity.
We were hoping to see a rejuvenated Musiala after his goal vs. Finland, but it was more of the same. If Germany opts to start both Musiala (in his current form) and Sané because of Undav’s injured butt cheek, this could get dicey in the group stage.
In the 37th minute, a USMNT corner attempt resulted in the ball being cleared out toward the top of the box. Unfortunately for Germany, Antonee Robinson ran into it and hit an absolute rocket for one of the great goals you will see. Just pure power and placement to knot the game at 1-1. Germany needed to wake up and quickly.
Robinson was extremely active and it is easy to point out he was having a decent game when he scored, but he was finding ways to get into advanced areas and frustrate Germany.
The Germans were shell-shocked after the goal and looked as if they just got drilled by a haymaker. Their legs looked woozy to say the least. If we are being honest (this is a safe zone), Germany was getting worked.
Oh, and Jonathan Tah was a mess, too, so there is that.
We got a little reprieve from seeing the version of Nagelsmann that is reluctant to adapt and falls back on his comfort level with certain players. If you were wondering, that version of him is still there and ready to pop out on a moment’s notice.
The half would end at 1-1, but Germany looked clueless and tired for the final 35 minutes.
In the 48th minute, Oliver Baumann made a terrific double-stop, even if it was ruled offside. Germany was toast. A minute later, Matt Freese denied Felix Nmecha to keep the game knotted.
Sané airmailed a free kick attempt in the 54th minute.
Germany’s backline struggled against the USMNT attacking group, which — newsflash — is nowhere near the level of France, England, Argentina, Brazil, etc.
Sané would make up for some lackluster play with a goal in the 57th minute. The shot deflected off the heel of a USMNT player to befuddle United States goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Nathaniel Brown won 7 of his 9 ground duels, but did struggle with positioning. It will be interesting to see if Nagelsmann leans back toward David Raum to start the World Cup. Luckily for Brown, Raum was not great during his stint in the match.
Undav came on as a sub, so…maybe he is back to the bench after all?
Brenden Aaronson took a nice rip at Baumann in the 87th minute, but the veteran goalkeeper made a terrific save.
Tensions flared a few different times, hopefully that was enough to wake up the Germans for the tournament.
Overall, Nagelsmann is going to have to figure some things out. Karl might be young, but he brought something different to the table and was effective. Undav has a better feel for how to flow in Nagelsmann’s attack should be than any of the other players in the mix (which makes it all the more puzzling why Nagelsmann has doubts about him). Maybe the worst thing that happened, though, was that this game opened up a million question that Nagelsmann has to be asking himself — and that is a problem. Already a guy who struggles to commit to a personnel group, a lineup, and a formation, Germany’s subpar performance might cause Nagelsmann’s brain to go into overdrive. If you survived his era at Bayern Munich, you know that can be a very bad thing.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
✅ It is TRUE: Mika Godts is on Bayern Munich’s shortlist. He’s not as highly rated as Saibari; he’s considered more of an alternative candidate. I’m not sure why, as he looks fantastic, and he’s enjoyed a really strong season in the Dutch top-flight. He’s also not as expensive, with a price tag set at €35m [£30.2m] (despite a contract running until 2029). But Bayern Munich have decided to first go for Saibari. If this doesn’t work out, Godts can be the next candidate.
✅ It is TRUE: Mika Godts is on Bayern Munich’s shortlist. He’s not as highly rated as Saibari; he’s considered more of an alternative candidate. I’m not sure why, as he looks fantastic, and he’s enjoyed a really strong season in the Dutch top-flight. He’s also not as expensive, with a price tag set at €35m [£30.2m] (despite a contract running until 2029). But Bayern Munich have decided to first go for Saibari. If this doesn’t work out, Godts can be the next candidate.
José Mourinho “won’t ask for star signings” at Real Madrid, Diario AS reports, saying the incoming coach wants players who are “hungry” and “with no ego” as part of his new team. Mourinho would like to sign “one or two centre-backs, a right-back, a left-back and two midfielders.” Meanwhile, Cadena COPE reports that sources in Rodri‘s camp admit they’ve held conversations with Enrique Riquelme in recent days, with the Madrid presidential candidate telling them he’d like to sign the midfielder, although no negotiations took place.
José Mourinho “won’t ask for star signings” at Real Madrid, Diario AS reports, saying the incoming coach wants players who are “hungry” and “with no ego” as part of his new team. Mourinho would like to sign “one or two centre-backs, a right-back, a left-back and two midfielders.” Meanwhile, Cadena COPE reports that sources in Rodri‘s camp admit they’ve held conversations with Enrique Riquelme in recent days, with the Madrid presidential candidate telling them he’d like to sign the midfielder, although no negotiations took place.
Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha should make his mind up soon on what his next step will be:
🚨👀 Joao Palhinha wants to make a decision on his future soon. The two concrete options are currently Tottenham and Sporting CP.
Talks are ongoing. Tottenham currently have good chances. However and as revealed, Spurs want to renegotiate with FC Bayern. The option to buy was set at €25m guaranteed, with potential add-ons that could raise the fee to up to €30m. Tottenham want to pay less. @SkySportDE
🚨👀 Joao Palhinha wants to make a decision on his future soon. The two concrete options are currently Tottenham and Sporting CP.
Talks are ongoing. Tottenham currently have good chances. However and as revealed, Spurs want to renegotiate with FC Bayern. The option to buy was set at €25m guaranteed, with potential add-ons that could raise the fee to up to €30m. Tottenham want to pay less. @SkySportDE
When Bayern Munich phenom Lennart Karl left German national team camp due to injury, he immediately flew back to Munich to begin the rehab process. One thing that Karl did not do was dress discreetly to conceal his identity:
The only way this pic would get better is if he was wearing a “Karl” jersey.
As was anticipated, Andy Robertson made the move from Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur:
Each candidate for Real Madrid’s presidency has an outrageous plan:
Real Madrid will launch a €150 million offer to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise if Florentino Perez wins the club’s presidential election this weekend, reports The Guardian. The 79-year-old is standing for reelection against Enrique Riquelme — who has claimed he will target Erling Haaland and Rodri — and has made a pledge to offer a fee of €150 million to bring in an unnamed player. While Perez denied this was Olise in his news conference a few days ago, the report claims that the winger is in fact the No. 1 target. The 24-year-old has been a key player for Bayern since signing for €60 million from Crystal Palace in 2024, scoring 42 goals and assisting 54 times in just over 100 appearances.
Real Madrid will launch a €150 million offer to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise if Florentino Perez wins the club’s presidential election this weekend, reports The Guardian. The 79-year-old is standing for reelection against Enrique Riquelme — who has claimed he will target Erling Haaland and Rodri — and has made a pledge to offer a fee of €150 million to bring in an unnamed player. While Perez denied this was Olise in his news conference a few days ago, the report claims that the winger is in fact the No. 1 target. The 24-year-old has been a key player for Bayern since signing for €60 million from Crystal Palace in 2024, scoring 42 goals and assisting 54 times in just over 100 appearances.
The team photo of Norway was so awesome:
Manchester United and Aston Villa both could take a run at Borussia Dortmund center-back and Germany international Waldemar Anton:
Manchester United and Aston Villa are both monitoring Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton ahead of a potential swoop, BILD reports. The 29-year-old has impressed at Dortmund since joining the club in 2024 from Stuttgart. While the Bundesliga giants are not actively looking to move Anton on, they may consider offers in the region of €35-40 million this summer.
Manchester United and Aston Villa are both monitoring Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton ahead of a potential swoop, BILD reports. The 29-year-old has impressed at Dortmund since joining the club in 2024 from Stuttgart. While the Bundesliga giants are not actively looking to move Anton on, they may consider offers in the region of €35-40 million this summer.
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