Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann has revealed that his side’s ambitions are higher than just reaching the knock-out stages following Saturday’s win over Cote d’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com reports.
Die Mannschaft needed to stage a comeback victory against the 2023 AFCON winners in the game decided at the Toronto Stadium. Franck Kessie handed Les Elephants a first-half lead, but the Germans, through substitute Deniz Undav, rallied back to win and book their place in the next round.
“We have high ambitions,” Nagelsmann said when asked by AFP if booking a place in the next round was something to celebrate.
“The most important topic for us is to focus on the next step. This is exactly what we hoped for and I’m very happy for me team,” the 38-year-old tactician added.
He added that after his two-goal display, Undav could be handed a starting role in Germany’s final group-stage clash against Ecuador, while stressing that the VfB Stuttgart forward has also been highly effective coming off the bench.
“I could have him in the starting line-up,” Nagelsmann said. “I think that every player would love to be in the starting line-up, but I think he’s very happy as it is right now.”
Germany have now reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014, when they won the tournament.
