Nagelsmann defends his Germany squad selection: 'The ball is similar'

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has defended his squad selection with several newcomers for upcoming friendly internationals against France and the Netherlands, citing his own personal experience.

Nagelsmann, 36, was the youngest Bundesliga coach when he took charge at Hoffenheim in 2016, and he is now the youngest national team coach after being appointed last year on a deal until this summer's Euro 2024 home tournament.

He said on at a news conference with fans on Wednesday night that "you will never gain experience" if a lack of it was a disqualifier.

Nagelsmann insisted that experience alone doesn't help against the likes of French star Kylian Mbappe who his team will face on Saturday in Lyon, before a Tuesday date with the Dutch in Frankfurt.

"Many have trouble against Kylian Mbappe, even with 200 Champions League matches. He has an extreme acceleration," Nagelsmann said.

Established players like Mats Hummels and Leon Goretzka have been dropped and in a move deemed risky Nagelsmann called up six players for the first time, with two of them however now unavailable.

Bayern Munich teenager Aleksandar Pavlovic and Heidenheim's Jan-Niklas Beste will miss the games due to tonsillitis and an adductor injury, respectively.

That leaves the VfB Stuttgart trio of Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav, Maximilian Beier of Hoffenheim to get first playing time, along with uncapped goalkeeper Oliver Baumann who has been part of the squad before.

Nagelsmann said he plans to use the players in the same positions they occupy at their clubs, saying "the sport is the same" as at league matches and that "the ball is similar if not the same."

Despite the big changes, Nagelsmann said that the majority of the Euro squad is finalised, and that he also has a preferred starting 11 in his mind for the Euros Germany open on June 14 against Scotland.

Barring injuries, that is, as he found out Wednesday when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, set to be first choice, withdrew from the squad with an adductor injury, with Beste following on Thursday.

"In the end it is good when we have found the first choice 11 by June 14," Nagelsmann said.