A highly experimental Germany team has lost their first game of the Julian Nagelsmann in a chaotic showing against TĂŒrkiye in what felt like an away game at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Kai Havertz (5â) and Niclas FĂŒllkrug (49â) scored for Germany, with Ferdi Kadioglu (38â), Kenan Yildiz (45â) and Yusuf Sari (71â) scoring for TĂŒrkiye.
But the big talking point was Nagelsmannâs decision to start Arsenalâs Havertz as a left-back. Perhaps anticipating the controversial discussion, Nagelsmann made a point of explaining his decision to start Havertz out wide before the game.
“We have different formations,â Nagelsmann said to broadcaster RTL ahead of the game. âKai won’t always be in this position. I have a great idea for him because he’s an exceptionally good footballer. This is a very good option. He won’t always play as a classic left-back.â
Watching the game, Havertz did indeed not play as a classic left-back. Instead, Germanyâs formation looked more like a back three, with Havertz playing almost as an inverted winger, pushing up to counter-balance an attack that, with FĂŒllkrug and Leroy SanĂ©, seemed very much centered on the right flank.
There are several takeaways from this particular experiment. First, Havertz did score and did find space to be creative. Second, it didnât directly lead to a defensive catastropheâothers would be responsible for that. Although Germany did give away two easy goals just before halftime, both those came from the other flank.
Ultimately, Havertz did give away the penalty that created the winner for the visitors. But how a player can be penalized for an action that takes place behind his back will remain one of the everlasting mysteries of the way IFAB has left the interpretation of what is a handball or not within the laws of the game.
The final takeaway from the Havertz experiment highlights that Nagelsmann, like his predecessor Hansi Flick, is still very much trying to find his best XI ahead of Germany hosting Euro 2024. Indeed, the Havertz selection plays into one of Germanyâs biggest dilemmas, which is what to do with the highly talented Arsenal player, who, at the second club in a row, is still trying to define his best role.
With that in mind, you have to give Nagelsmann credit that he is trying to fit Havertz into his system at all costs. But with the emergence of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, as well as the re-emergence of Sané, it becomes increasingly more difficult for Havertz to find a role in the Germany setup.
Previously, the thought has been that Havertz could play a major part for Germany as a center-forward. But that path, too, now seems to be blocked as FĂŒllkrug keeps scoring for Germany. The Dortmund striker scored his tenth goal in just his 12th appearance on Saturday. The statistic is even more impressive when you break it down per minute scored, with FĂŒllkrug celebrating a goal every 57 minutes when playing for Germany.
What to do then with Havertz? The entire debate is somewhat reminiscent of how former Bundestrainer Joachim Löw tried to fit in Toni Kroos into his system. The disaster when Kroos started as a man-marking winger against Italy at Euro 2012 will forever be remembered as one of Löwâs biggest tactical blunders.
Ultimately, Germany found a fit for Kroos and ended up winning a World Cup with the midfielder. Finding a good role for Havertz will be just as paramount because even though he has struggled at the club level at times, the 24-year-old is too talented not to be a part of the solution for Nagelsmann.
Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth