German Coach Affirms No Intention Of Lowering Northern Ireland

JAKARTA - Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said he regretted if Northern Ireland had commented on their disrespectful style of play.

Nagelsmann caused a stir after Germany's 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Cologne last month when he said Michael O'Neill's side played many long balls with an uncomfortable approach to the eye.

This issue resurfaced ahead of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Group A European Zone on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, early morning WIB, in Belfast.

O'Neill responded by pointing to how often Germany passed the ball away at Cologne. He added that it was not his job to worry about what his opponents might think.

Asked about the view that his comments were disrespectful, Nagelsmann emphasized it was just a misinterpretation.

"I don't mean to be rude. I said it might not be beautiful to watch, but a more important topic, the key topic I mentioned was that they did very well."

"They played long balls with an idea. They had a special mood in the team."

"I also mentioned that it was very difficult to beat this team. They didn't concede many goals and they created many chances as well through set pieces by implementing this style of football."

"So, if anyone feels it's disrespectful, I can apologize. I don't mean to be rude, it is with great respect to the team and the way they play," said Neglesmann.

Nagelsmann opened his press conference on Sunday, October 12, 2025, local time, repeating his observation that Northern Ireland tends to play far away.

However, he said he was impressed by Ireland's 2-0 win over Slovakia on Saturday, October 11, 2025 WIB - the result means Northern Ireland, Germany and Slovakia will enter the match on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, with the same point, which is six.

"They create a lot of pressure in the final third. You have to defend very well with one player guarding, avoiding some crosss, avoiding some dead balls."

"You have room to find some counter-attacks, but it won't be easy. So, we have to perform very well to win the game against Northern Ireland," Nagelsmann said.

Meanwhile, Negelsmann also commented on Florian Wirtz's appearance so far. In the match against Northern Ireland earlier last month.

Wirtz scored Germany's third decisive goal in a 3-1 win at Cologne with an incredible free kick.

However, it remains the only goal or assist scored by Liverpool's 116 million new player this season, while the 22-year-old has created more chances, 21 times than any other player in the Premier League so far.

"I think it's normal when you move to a new club, to a new league, it wasn't that easy at first."

"I think he will adapt very quickly. He will score for Liverpool and create many chances."

"Maybe he could score tomorrow's goal (against Northern Ireland), I would be very happy for him and for us," Nagelsmann said.

When asked if he realized any differences in Wirtz's confidence in the spotlight recently, Nagelsmann tried to defend the player.

"I think our first meeting after the summer period, it felt special for him because he was new to Liverpool, then for the first time in the national team (after his move)."

"We have had a long meeting and discussed the situation. However, now he is the former Wirtz, his mood is good, and I hope we will see him perform very well against Northern Ireland," Nagelsmann said.