Nagelsmann pleased with Germany development after Euro 2024 disappointment

Julian Nagelsmann believes Germany have taken the next step in their development after sharing the spoils in an entertaining clash with the Netherlands on Tuesday. 

Tijjani Reijnders handed the hosts the lead with just a minute and 39 seconds on the clock, only for Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich to respond before the break. 

The Netherlands drew level five minutes into the second half through Denzel Dumfries, leaving the pair joint-top of Group A3 after the opening two matchdays. 

Germany want to be strong contenders at the next World Cup after their Euro 2024 disappointment, when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Spain.

And Nagelsmann is seeking improvements in every match, despite the tournament being just under two years away. 

"There is an awareness that every game is important," he said. "We have the Nations League now, the qualifiers next year and then, hopefully, off to the World Cup. We have 18 games left until then - if all goes well.

"The team believes in itself and that is the key. That is what we all want to see. Today, we saw a team that wanted to win."

But in an enthralling encounter, Nagelsmann acknowledged that improvements need to be made at both ends of the pitch. 

Germany managed just five shots on target from the 21 they attempted, while registering an expected goals total (xG) of 2.94 during the contest. 

While only restricting the Netherlands to 11 shots, their opponents created four big chances to Germany's three, with the Oranje also winning 53.1% of their duels compared to 46.9% for Nagelsmann's side. 

"Both defences were too vulnerable but offensively, we were stronger, tried to create more and took a bit more risk," he said. 

"In the early stages of the second half, we tried a little too hard and were maybe a bit too aggressive in the tackles."

The Germany head coach was particularly pleased with his side's response to falling behind early on Reijnders' finish. 

"The way we came back was very good. It took us five or six minutes, but then we were well in the game," Nagelsmann concluded.

Germany continue their Nations League campaign with two away fixtures next month, playing Bosnia-Herzegovina before a reunion with the Dutch on October 14.