Julian Nagelsmann using video analysis to hone in on defensive tactics for Germany

Nagelsmann and his fondness of video boards and tactics boards strike again.

Throughout his managerial tenures at TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and now the German national team, it is no secret that Julian Nagelsmann is a massive fan of using video analysis and large video monitors to work on tactics with his players. When he was at the helm at Bayern, he had a large video monitor installed at Säbener Straße to utilize for tactics sessions and he brought Benjamin Glück with him to the Germany staff. Glück has long been a video analyst assistant of Nagelsmann’s throughout his managerial tenures, as match film is really a focal point of Nagelsmann’s strategizing.

Taking charge of his second international break ever since he was announced as Die Mannschaft manager, Nagelsmann has reportedly been using video footage to really try to work on Germany’s defensive tactics, as per Bild (via @iMiaSanMia). While the first two matches under Nagelsmann’s watch were not losses, they still gave up goals in both friendlies against the USMNT (3-1 win) and Mexico (2-2 draw). This pair of results came after a 2-1 win over France right after Hansi Flick was fired and Rudi Völler oversaw proceedings at the Westfalenstadion.

Even under Flick’s reign, Germany’s back line has been ever-changing, as the right setup was never truly found and different experimentations with a back three versus a back four never really seemed to work. This is something Nagelsmann will certainly have to nail down before next summer’s European Championships and in the last pair of friendlies, he started with a back four of Robin Gosens, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger, and Niklas Süle against Mexico, with the only difference against the USMNT being Mats Hummels instead of Süle.

There’s plenty of time for Nagelsmann to plan things out and strategize for next summer, but they only have friendlies between now and then. He is tasked with the difficult challenge or righting the course of what has been a wayward-bound German national team ship for quite some time now and a strong defensive spine is absolutely paramount to that success.