Is Germany’s Nagelsmann set to rotate for the final group match? The coach is indecisive

The German team has secured two consecutive victories in the group stage, defeating Scotland 5-1 and Hungary 2-0. In their decisive last Euro group fixture, they will face Switzerland, with the top spot in the group at stake.

National team coach Julian Nagelsmann now faces a dilemma: should he continue with the first-choice squad or give the bench players a chance, resting key starters?

For Germany, the difference between finishing first or second in the group is not insignificant. Sometimes, strategic calculations are necessary to map out the clearest path to the title. In theory, the distinction is significant; the group winner might face Denmark or Slovenia in the next round, while the runner-up could encounter Italy.

On the other hand, with the knockout stages in mind, Nagelsmann needs to rotate his squad to give unused players an opportunity.

As such, Nagelsmann is hesitant ahead of the Swiss clash. Switzerland currently has four points, and a victory over Germany would propel them to first place. Therefore, the German coach must decide whether to stick with the in-form starting eleven, including Toni Kroos, İlkay Gündoğan, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, and Florian Wirtz, or provide a chance for substitutes.

Many players on the bench are eager to prove themselves in the Euros. Some have already done so, like Niclas Füllkrug, who scored against Scotland after coming on as a substitute, and Emre Can, who has had similar impacts. However, Leroy Sané, Nico Schlotterbeck, Deniz Undav, Thomas Müller, Pascal Groß, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen all seek more playing time. Almost every player has seen action, except Schlotterbeck and Ter Stegen.

Nagelsmann’s choice will not only determine the outcome of this match but also Germany’s long-term prospects in the tournament. Striking the right balance between pursuing victory and preserving team freshness is his most significant challenge.

Switzerland, equally hungry for a win, has the opportunity to snatch the group lead by defeating Germany. Coach Murat Yakin is also contemplating his lineup, especially whether to start the impressive Xherdan Shaqiri and how to integrate recently returning injured players.