Prime Lahm is back?! The 5️⃣ DFB Winners of the International Break | OneFootball

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Although it got exciting again at the end, the German national team deservedly prevailed against Italy in the Nations League quarterfinals. Most of the protagonists agreed on that. The following five DFB players particularly impressed and can consider themselves winners.

Oliver Baumann

He could be called a winner even before the kickoff of the first leg because the national coach expressed his trust in him for the quarterfinal. The Hoffenheim player immediately and impressively repaid that trust. He saved against Raspadori and after Kleindienst's failed clearance action at San Siro, securing the German victory. Julian Nagelsmann gave him high praise: "Two saves he didn't have to make. You can only give him a grade of one." There was really nothing he could do about the goals conceded in the second leg. Therefore, no corrections need to be made to his strong recommendation for further appearances.

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Tim Kleindienst

Scored as a substitute just three minutes after being brought on in the first leg. The 1.94-meter man cleverly exploited Italy's vulnerability to crosses not just in this scene. He was therefore given a spot in the starting lineup for the second leg, where he scored again with a header. Additionally, the Gladbach player was typically energetic and threw himself into every duel. A total of four goals in six Nations League matches make a strong case for significant playing time in the Final Four.

Mads Buttgereit

No playing minutes, but a big winner. For the set-piece coach, the 2-1 in the first leg was déjà vu. He had rehearsed the goal in exactly this personnel setup the day before during the final training session. In gratitude, a group of jubilant players gathered around the Dane. Thanks to his help, German set-pieces have once again become a dangerous weapon.

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Leon Goretzka

Made an impressive return to the national team after more than a year of absence, scoring the winning goal in the first leg. In the second leg, he played the perfect through ball that led to a penalty and later set up the 3-0. He also achieved a strong pass completion rate of 91 percent. Kleindienst enjoyed "playing with him." Nagelsmann found Goretzka's comeback and character "top." Kimmich was simply "very, very happy for him." A well-rounded performance.

Joshua Kimmich

"75 percent of all the games you've played, you've played outstandingly. And the other 25 world-class," Mehmet Scholl once said about Philipp Lahm. If he continues like this, it will soon apply to Joshua Kimmich as well. Lahm's successor in the right-back position and as DFB captain impressed against Italy with his football leadership qualities. In the first leg, he perfectly set up both goals, only to outdo himself in the second leg. Kimmich first took the penalty and confidently converted it to make it 1-0. He then set up the 2-0 and 3-0. A 93 percent pass completion rate, two clearances, two intercepted balls, five key passes, Man of the Match. Or in one word: outstanding.

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