Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann don come out defend Liverpool new signing Florian Wirtz, as the midfielder dey face heavy criticism for him slow start to life for Premier League. The 38-year-old coach talk say he no get any fear say Wirtz go adapt soon and start to perform like everybody expect.
Speaking for Belfast ahead of Germany’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, Nagelsmann talk say the 21-year-old still dey go through normal “teething problems” wey every young player dey face when dem move to new league.
“I no get any concern,” Nagelsmann talk. “He go adapt very quickly and go start to score goals for Liverpool. He go give fans plenty beautiful moments for Anfield.”
Wirtz Still Searching For First Goal Or Assist
Since he move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool this summer for around £100 million (€115m), Wirtz never register any goal or assist in nine matches across Premier League and Champions League. The young German dey still try find him rhythm under Arne Slot, and the pressure from fans don begin pile up.
Nagelsmann, however, believe say one goal fit change everything. “I hope say he go score tomorrow against Northern Ireland,” he talk. “That one go good for him confidence — and good for us too.”
Germany Looking To Build Momentum
After Germany shockingly lose 2-0 to Slovakia earlier for the qualifiers, dem bounce back with strong 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in Cologne before beating Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday. But the coach no wan allow the recent win make dem relax.
“We lost one game already, and for World Cup qualification you no get many chances,” Nagelsmann explain. “We need three points. We no go qualify tomorrow, but we fit put ourselves for good position. We dey take am step by step.”
Group Situation
Germany, Northern Ireland and Slovakia all dey top of Group A with six points each after two wins apiece. Luxembourg dey bottom after losing all three matches.
Northern Ireland — wey never qualify for World Cup since 1986 — go miss their captain Conor Bradley against Germany because of suspension. The Liverpool right-back collect yellow card last match and go dey watch this one from the sidelines.
Northern Ireland Still Believe
Despite the setback, Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill still dey optimistic. After their shock 2-0 win over Slovakia, he believe say his boys fit challenge Germany too.
“You fit say that Slovakia game na one of our best performances,” O’Neill tell reporters. “But I believe we fit do even better. We get opportunity now to do wetin Slovakia do — and we must aim for that.”
With both teams confident and plenty on the line, Monday’s clash for Belfast fit become one of the key fixtures for this World Cup qualifying round.
