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Published : 06 Sep 2025, 09:32 PM
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Saturday he would be rotating heavily for Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland following their stunning loss to Slovakia on Thursday.
The four-times world champions suffered their first away defeat in a World Cup qualifier, losing 2-0 to the Slovaks in Bratislava in their opening qualifier for the 2026 tournament.
Nagelsmann, who saw his team suffer a third straight loss after Nations League defeats to Portugal and France in June, said that while the team's main philosophy would not change there would be changes to the lineup against Northern Ireland.
"We have had some discussions with some players and with the team," Nagelsmann told a press conference. "The team cleared up some things internally as well. We looked at what to expect and developed an idea for tomorrow."
"Content-wise it will not be a completely changed team tomorrow. But on a personnel level there will be some things that will be happening. We have to deliver a better game."
The Germans are favourites to top Group A, which also includes Luxembourg, but cannot afford to continue their recent losing form.
"As a coach you have to give players something that allows them to play emotionally more freely," Nagelsmann said. "We need players on Sunday that fit the situation. We cannot think about qualification but we have to think about the game. There could be players playing who may not play in the World Cup."
Nagelsmann had said after the game that his players lacked commitment and emotionality against Slovakia. The Germans, who have set their sights on next year's World Cup title, have been eliminated in the first round of the last two editions.
"We did not have a perfect day (against Slovakia). No one had," Nagelsmann said, adding that he was not concerned about his own job safety in the case of another slip-up against Northern Ireland in Cologne.
"To be frightened is not a good thing. I will try my best to win. I am not afraid. I think we will do a better job than on Thursday," he said.
"We will try to be the best competitors possible and win our home game which is very important for us and the fans in the stands. It is such an important game for us."
