Nagelsmann promises radical changes to Germany's lineup after defeat to Slovakia

Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann announced his intention to make significant changes to the starting lineup for the match against Northern Ireland on Sunday, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, following the surprising loss to Slovakia with a score of 2-0 in Bratislava.

This marks the third consecutive defeat for the German team, after falling to Portugal and France in the Nations League, raising concerns among fans about the team's readiness to compete for a qualifying spot.

Nagelsmann said at the press conference: "We had internal discussions with the players and the coaching staff, and we came up with new ideas for the upcoming match. The tactical approach will remain the same, but the lineup will see clear changes."

He added that the team needs players who can implement ideas with greater mental freedom, noting that some participants in Sunday’s match may not be on the World Cup roster, but he is currently focused on improving performance and regaining confidence.

Despite the criticism, Nagelsmann confirmed that he is not worried about his future with the national team, stating: "Fear is not an option. We will do our best to win in front of our fans in Cologne."