Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann wants to continue the momentum from their victory over France heading into their final match with the Netherlands before the European Championship in June.
Nagelsmann’s side ran out 2-0 winners over France on Saturday to end a run of three games without victory – dating back to October where they beat the United States 3-1 – and will now face the Netherlands in their last dress rehearsal before their home Euros.
The German manager does not want the result over France to be a one off and is keen to build on the performance by naming an unchanged side.
He told a press conference: “It’s about the team believing in itself and this path – even in negative moments in the game.
“We have turned into what we want to continue on the road towards the home European Championship.
“I plan that it will be the same first XI as in France.
“In football, you always have to back up a performance. A one-hit wonder, that can be nice, but we have to continue on our path.”
Germany will be hoping to go further in the upcoming Euro 2024, which will be played in front of their home fans following a disappointing World Cup which saw them head out in the group stage.
Nagelsmann knows the result has made some supporters content and was keen not to undo all their hard work going into the competition.
He added: “The team must be able keep things in perspective. We played a great game. We know it’s a first step, now we need to take another. We can’t just let everything fall apart tomorrow.
“The advantage with such euphoria is that we now feel a little more support from the population. From this point of view, yes, we can rely on it.
“To say that everything is magnificent, no. We just have to continue like this.”
The Netherlands come into the match fresh from their 4-0 victory over Scotland and are currently on a run of four wins on the bounce.
Despite the scoreline, boss Ronald Koeman was not happy with his side’s performance and knows they have to improve if they are to get a result against Germany.
He said: “We will have to do much better in the build-up against Germany, otherwise we will concede goals.
“We also have to play more compactly and communicate better with each other.
“Of course you want to win, swing on the field and score a lot of goals. But if you win a lesser match 4-0, you are not doing badly. And playing better when in possession of the ball does not seem that difficult to me.”
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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