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Germany's national football team anticipates a tough challenge in their upcoming World Cup match against the fast-paced Ivory Coast squad, stated head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Germany secured a dominant 7-1 victory over debutants Curaçao in their opening fixture last week, while Ivory Coast clinched a late 1-0 win against Ecuador.
Nagelsmann believes the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions will pose significant problems for his team in their Group E clash of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for tonight at 11:00 PM Bulgarian time.
"They have an excellent defense. And all three attacking positions are incredibly quick," Nagelsmann commented in Toronto. "In their last match, forward Nicolas Pépé was elusive. He was everywhere," the German coach added.
Julian Nagelsmann also considers Ivory Coast's midfield strength a threat, but he and his players are working to find solutions.
"We've taken certain measures and prepared accordingly to maximize our strength. We won't always be as successful because they are simply too good, but we will play our own game," assured the specialist, who defended forward Leroy Sané from criticism following the Curaçao match. The Galatasaray winger failed to score despite playing the full 90 minutes, missing a clear-cut opportunity.
"That bothers me because I don't like it when such things are written about my players. But he has to convince you himself to write better about him. I don't think it affects his confidence. It helps when he has a good game, so he will do that," Nagelsmann concluded.
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