Germany team director calls for better performance against France
Germany's sports director Rudi Voeller signs autographs during a training session at the Adi-Dassler-Stadion, ahead of the UEFA Nations League semifinal soccer match against Portugal. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Men's national team sporting director Rudi Völler has called for an improved performance when Germany take on France in the Nations League match for third place on Sunday.
"We definitely have to go one better," Völler told broadcasters ARD late Thursday.
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Hosts Germany lost 2-1 against Portugal in their semi-final on Wednesday and now face Les Bleus who fell 5-4 against title holders Spain.
"Of course we were all dissatisfied and disappointed. You always have to give 100%," Völler said.
"We did much, much better in the last few games, even against top opponents. We have to do it differently on Sunday."
This was Germany's first defeat since last summer's Euro 2024 on home soil. They were hoping to win a first title since the 2017 Confederations Cup.
"Maybe we were a bit spoiled by the last few successful and good games we've played. At the very highest level, if you do a few per cent less, then it's not enough," Völler said.
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Coach Julian Nagelsmann stressed that he expects his players to give everything against France to end the tournament on a positive note - especially ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
"We have no tolerance for conceding anything. It's less about third place. We have to take advantage of the game. If we play a top game and finish fourth, I can live with that more than if we play a shitty game and finish third," he said.
The Nations League meeting will be Germany's 35th game against France. Overall, the Germans have a negative record, with 15 defeats, eight draws and 11 wins.
But Germany have won the last two encounters. They took a 2-1 victory in 2023 under interim coach Völler before Nagelsmann led the team to a 2-0 triumph in a friendly ahead of Euro 2024.
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