No More Neuer And Gundogan, Germany's New Face Remains Hungry For Success

Germany, who appeared with a new face during practice ahead of the match in the Nations League. (X/@DFB_Team_EN)

JAKARTA - The veterans have retired from the German national team. There are no more captains and goalkeepers Manuel Neuer and Ilkay Gundogan. However, Germany's new face remains hungry for success.

Neuer closed his international career with a failure at Euro 2024 which was held at home. Yes, Germany was only able to survive until the quarter-fnal before being eliminated by Spain who became champions.

Previously, Die Mannschaft also reaped disappointing results at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups when they had been eliminated in the group stage. Meanwhile, in the European Cup, Germany never again achieved success after winning Euro 1996

Not only Neuer but also his colleague at Bayern Munich, Thomas Mueller, decided to retire. In addition, Gundogan and Toni Kroos also left the national team. Even Kroos has fully hung up his boots. He did not return to Real Madrid or the German team.

Now, Germany will appear with a new face. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is definitely the first choice coach Julian Nagelsmann under the bar after a long time just warming the bench.

Meanwhile, Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich was appointed captain to replace Neuer. Kimmich, 31, is now one of the senior players in the German squad.

Striker Niclas Fuellkrug said the departure of retired veterans gave advantages to new players and the average was still young. The new German squad will be tested in two UEFA Nations League matches. Fighting in League 1 Group 3, Kai Havertz et al faced their Hungarian guests and then visited the Dutch arch rivals.

"We lost players who were full of extraordinary experiences and had achieved success. Like Jo (Kimmich) said that we no longer have a world champion team," said Fuellkrug.

"This is indeed a loss. But we want to turn it into an advantage. We may be a team with minimal experience. But we are a team that is hungry and thirsty for success," he said.

According to Fuellkrug, a team that has never won any trophy will be'motivated to achieve success compared to a team that has already done so'.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund striker, who has played at West Ham United this season, admitted that the team lost seniors, one of which was Mueller. The player has character and definitely talks a lot.

"When he entered the [change] room, everyone knew who was coming. But since he left, now the atmosphere is quiet," said Fuellkrug smiling. "We miss him," he said again.

Nagelsmann did reshuffle the squad after Germany's failure at Euro 2024. Moreover, senior parties have retired from the national team.