Jamal Musiala, Niclas Füllkrug and Leroy Sané (from left) celebrate a goal in Germany's win over the USA. - © AFP via Getty Images

bundesliga

Julian Nagelsmann off to winning start as Germany beat USA

15.10.2023

Julian Nagelsmann’s reign as Germany head coach began with a 3-1 friendly win against the USA in East Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday.

USA 1-3 Germany
Goals: 1-0 Pulisic (27’), 1-1 Gündoğan (39’), 1-2 Füllkrug 58’ (assist: Gosens), 1-3 Musiala 61’ (assist: Füllkrug)

An entertaining game from the outset, former Borussia Dortmund starlet Christian Pulisic had the ball in the net as early as the fourth minute, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside. Florian Wirtz went closest for Germany early on with a shot from the edge of the penalty area struck the base of the post. Tim Weah and Niclas Füllkrug each had presentable chances before Pulisic eventually broke the deadlock with a fine solo goal after cutting in from the left and curling a shot into the top corner. The Stars and Stripes only led for a few minutes though, as Germany equalised shortly before half-time when İlkay Gündoğan finished from close range following good work by Leroy Sané.

Germany upped the tempo after the break and began to create chances with increasing regularity. Füllkrug saw a close-range shot well saved after a fine run from Gündoğan, who blasted over the crossbar himself moments later. Their pressure finally took its toll on 58 minutes when Robin Gosens found Füllkrug, who made no mistake with only the goalkeeper to beat. Füllkrug was involved again two minutes later when the ball fell kindly to him inside the box and his dinked effort over Matt Turner was prodded over the line by Jamal Musiala. The Bayern starlet teed up Sané for what should have been a fourth is the clocked ticked out, but his club-mate could only curl wide. It ultimately mattered little though, as Germany comfortably saw out the rest of the match to give Nagelsmann a winning start.

Julian Nagelsmann oversaw what was ultimately a comfortable victory for his side in East Hartford. - Getty Images

Match stats

Nagelsmann oversaw 243 Bundesliga matches, prior to taking the Germany job (W127, D70, L46).
Of all players in the current squad, Leroy Sané has been the most prolific at club level in 2023/24 with seven goals in all competitions for Bayern.
Müller is the most-capped player at Nagelsmann's disposal (124 appearances).
Hummels was recalled for the first time since winning his 76th cap at the rescheduled UEFA European Championship in 2021.
Müller and Hummels are the only surviving members of the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup under Joachim Löw.
Pulisic faced a Nagelsmann team four times in the Bundesliga, scoring twice (both against Hoffenheim).

Teams

USA: Turner - Dest, Ream, Richards (Carter-Vickers 65'), Scally - Musah, McKennie (Johnny 75') - Weah (Aaronson 65'), Reyna (de la Torre 46'), Pulisic (c) (Paredes 75') - Balogun (Pepi 66')
Unused subs: Horvath, Jones, Lund Hansen, Maloney, Zendejas
Coach: Gregg Berhalter

Germany: Ter Stegen - Tah, Hummels (Süle 62'), Rüdiger, Gosens - Groß (Goretzka 70'), Gündoğan (c) - Wirtz (Havertz 62'), Musiala (Führich 81') - Sané (Brandt 71'), Füllkrug (Müller 81')
Unused subs: Baumann, Leno, Trapp, Raum, Thiaw, Andrich, Hofmann, Behrens
Out: Gnabry (broken arm), Günter (broken arm), Henrichs (muscular), Kimmich (cold), Neuer (broken leg)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

As it happened!

1 - 3

(1 - 1)

USA

FINAL

Germany

Friendly
International International Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford

Full-time

85'

So close from Süle!

The Dortmund centre-back plays a one-two with Goretzka about five yards out side the USA box. He takes the return pass on the volley, unleashing a sizzling drive that whistles narrowly wide of the post!

82'

Debutant

Chris Führich, who has been in fine form for high-flying VfB Stuttgart this season with two goals and five assists, makes his senior international debut for Germany.

81'

Substitution

Chris Führich

Jamal Musiala

81'

Substitution

Thomas Müller

Niclas Füllkrug

76'

First involvement for Paredes

The Wolfsburg winger has only been on the pitch for a few seconds but he's involved right away, delivering a nice cross from the left that forces Ter Stegen off his line to collect at full stretch.

75'

Substitution

Johnny

Weston McKennie

75'

Substitution

Kevin Paredes

Christian Pulisic

71'

Substitution

Leon Goretzka

Pascal Groß

71'

Substitution

Julian Brandt

Leroy Sané

70'

Wide from Sané

Brilliant stuff from Musiala, who escapes into space down the left. Scally backs off him as he approaches the box, allowing the Bayern attacker time and space to look up and putt the ball back for Sané, arriving in a central position, but his first-time shot goes just wide of the post.

66'

Substitution

Ricardo Pepi

Florian Balogun

65'

Substitution

Brenden Aaronson

Tim Weah

65'

Substitution

Carter-Vickers

Chris Richards

62'

Substitution

Niklas Süle

Mats Hummels

62'

Substitution

Kai Havertz

Florian Wirtz

62'

Quickfire double

Musiala decides to take the match by the scruff of the neck and dribbles past a number of defenders on the edge of the box. He gets a little bit lucky after a tackle, with the ball spinning to the left to Füllkrug. He dinks it over Turner and Musiala slides in ahead of Richards to score from close range.

61'

Jamal Musiala

GOAL!

1:3

59'

Germany lead

Gosens plays the ball through to Füllkrug, who has escaped his marker and only as Turner to beat, 10 yards from goal. He doesn't miss those!

58'

Niclas Füllkrug

GOAL!

1:2

55'

Sané crowded out

Following a USA corner, Germany launch a counter-attack. Wirtz scurries forward and plays the ball to his right for Sané. It's the right ball but it just lacks a bit of pace, forcing Sané to check his run and lose momentum. That allows the home side's defence to get back and crowd him out before he can get a shot away.

53'

Over from Gündoğan

Sané twists and turns on the right to get past Dest and his cross into the middle is punched clear by Turner - but only as far as Gündoğan on the edge of the box. The Barcelona midfielder strikes the ball first time but balloons it well over the target.

49'

Brilliant counter, brilliant save

Gündoğan intercepts the ball inside his own half and sprints forward at pace. He reaches the edge of the USA box before sliding a pass to his left to Füllkrug, who instantly smashes a left-footed shot at goal. It's going in, but Turner produces a superb stop to keep it out.

46'

Under way again

No changes from either side as yet.

Kick-off!

Half-time

44'

Teasing cross

Pulisic swings in a free-kick from wide on the left. It's a decent delivery but is just too high for Richards to get his head on.

40'

Germany equalise!

Sané plays a one-two with Gündoğan on the edge of the area, darting into the six-yard box to collect the return. Turner saves his initial shot but there's nothing he can do about the follow-up from Gündoğan, who slots in from close range.

39'

İlkay Gündoğan

GOAL!

1:1

35'

Next chance

Weah's pace down the right is causing Germany some problems and he once again gets behind the defence. His cross into the middle is behind Balogun, but the ball is only cleared as far as Reyna. The angle is tight for him to shoot from the right but he has a go anyway. His stinging drive is gathered by Ter Stegen at the second attempt.

31'

Confidence boost

That goal has given the USA a healthy dose of self-belief and they're now playing and passing with much greater confidence. Germany look unfazed, but will need far greater urgency in the final third if they are to get back into this game.

28'

USA lead!

Moments after appealing for a penalty and seeing Füllkrug have a shot saved at the other end, Pulisic scores an absolute worldie. The former Dortmund winger receives the ball wide on the left before immediately sprinting inside, away from Tah and Rüdiger, before curling a superb shot into the top corner!

27'

Christian Pulisic

GOAL!

1:0

26'

Chance for Pulisic!

The USA get behind Germany's defence and Balogun slides it through to Pulisic, who only has Ter Stegen to beat. He tries to take it around the goalkeeper and goes to ground, appealing for a penalty, but the referee waves play on.

22'

Füllkrug!

After Germany's first real spell of sustained pressure, they get their next chance. Musiala's shot on the edge of the box is blocked but the rebound falls at the feet of the unmarked Füllkrug. He immediately gets a shot away but it's too close to Turner, who makes the save.

Wirtz vs. McKennie

Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz has come closest to scoring so far with his shot off the post.

16'

Weah shoots

McKennie does well to bring down a long ball in the box. He plays it back to Weah, lurking on the edge of the area, and after fashioning a yard of space he gets a shot away but it's deflected and an easy save for Ter Stegen.

14'

Another opening

Following a Germany corner, the USA launch a counter-attack via Weah, who is too fast for Wirtz down the right. He passes forward to Pulisic, but he's immediately crowded out by Rüdiger and Groß.

12'

Post!

Germany attack down the left before working the ball inside, eventually finding the unmarked Wirtz on the edge of the box. He coolly side-foots and effort at goal that beats Turner but hits the base of the post!

First opening

The USA get forward well on the break down the right and when the ball is played into the middle it's slightly behind Pulisic. He still gets a shot away but it's straight at Ter Stegen, who saves.

Musiala special

The Bayern starlet receives the ball on the edge of the area and starts a dribble. The defenders back off him, probably aware of his ability to make them look silly, but instead of shooting, Musiala passes out wide to Gosens, whose cross into the middle is too strong.

Three at the back

Germany are switching to a 3-5-2 when in possession, with Gosens pushing up high on the left, leaving Hummels, Rüdiger and Tah at the back.

Goal disallowed

McKennie pings a long ball forward from deep, having spotted Pulisic's run. The Milan attacker rifles the ball into the net but it won't count as he was offside.

Nearly!

The home side play the ball around at the back but Turner wants a bit too long with it and is almost caught out by Germany's press. He just manages to squeeze the ball to Scally in time though.

And we're off!

Gio Reyna, sporting freshly bleached-blonde hair, gets the ball rolling for the USA.

Kick-off!

Almost time

The players are walking out onto the pitch. We'll have handshakes and national anthems and then we'll be underway!

Debut in sight

Heidenheim's Berlin-born defensive specialist Lennard Maloney is all smiles as he warms up ahead of a potential maiden senior international cap.

Getting a feel for the pitch

Team news - USA

There's plenty of Bundesliga interest on the opposite side of the pitch too. Gio Reyna and Joe Scally both start, as does former Bayern and Hoffenheim defender Chris Richards, Christian Pulisic (ex-Dortmund) and Weston McKennie (Schalke). Former Augsburg striker Ricardo Pepi is on the bench, alongside Union Berlin's Brenden Aaronson, Heidenheim's Lennard Maloney and Wolfsburg's Kevin Paredes.

Team news - Germany

Pascal Groß starts for Germany in Kimmich's place, while there's plenty of excitement in attack as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz start for the first time together.

Kimmich to return to Germany

The eagle-eyed observers among you will have seen that Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is neither in the starting line-up nor on the bench. The German FA (DFB) has announced that he will return to Munich ahead of schedule and will not feature in this game, or in Tuesday's fixture against Mexico, due to a heavy cold.

USA starting XI

Turner - Dest, Ream, Richards, Scally - Musah, McKennie - Weah, Reyna, Pulisic (c) - Balogun

USA subs

Horvath, Carter-Vickers, Jones, Lund Hansen, Aaronson, de la Torre, Johnny, Maloney, Paredes, Zendejas, Pepi

Germany starting XI

Ter Stegen - Tah, Hummels, Rüdiger, Gosens - Groß, Gündoğan (c) - Wirtz, Musiala - Sané, Füllkrug

Germany subs

Baumann, Leno, Trapp, Raum, Süle, Thiaw, Andrich, Brandt, Führich, Goretzka, Havertz, Hofmann, Müller, Behrens

1:47

Watch: Greetings from across the Atlantic for Joe Scally

Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Scally will be playing for the USA against the country where he plies his trade. His family is clearly an important part of his life, and we take a look back at a special surprise the 20-year-old received during the Bundesliga media days.

3:06

Watch: Müller and Hummels reunited

Following Hummels return to the Germany squad, the two friends are set to play together for the first time since Euro 2020. Here, we take a look at what makes their relationship so special

Berhalter: "Tactically a very astute coach"

Now in his fifth year as USA head coach, Berhalter has been discussing his counterpart's introduction to international football. "I remember my first matches international manager and thankfully, I had a month to prepare for it and he's had three days,' he said. "I know he's tactically a very astute coach. And for us, it's interesting to see what he's going to do, how he's going to interpret the talent that he has into a formation. But you know, my guess is it will be some something that they've done before there will be some familiarity to what they're doing in the field."

Nagelsmann: "The most important topic"

Nagelsmann has signed a contract until the end of next year's European Championships, which will be played in Germany, and the new boss is clearly eager to hit the ground running. "That's the most important topic to get into a good mood. In football, it's always like that, when you win, everything you did before was good," he said in the build-up to this clash.

USA team news

Bayern Munich youngster Malik Tillmann was forced to leave the national set-up earlier this week with a minor injury, which is a disappointment for Berhalter considering he has scored three goals in four Eredivisie games on loan at PSV this season. Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson are among the big-name absentees, but Gio Reyna is expected to feature.

Germany team news

In regards to the squad selected for this fixture, Nagelsmann will only be without Joshua Kimmich, who is carrying a cold and will therefore have to sit this one out entirely. That leaves the new manager with plenty of dilemmas, including whether Kai Havertz or Niclas Füllkrug should lead the line.

Head-to-head

Germany have faced the USA 11 times, with the first meeting coming in June 1993 - Berti Vogts' men prevailed 4-3 on that occasion. Despite the four-time World Cup winners' superior pedigree, this match-up has been relatively evenly matched. Germany have won seven times, but the USA have managed four victories themselves, including the most recent game between the two in June 2015 (2-1).

0:24

Watch: Scally's goal last weekend

2:29

Watch: The best of Americans in the Bundesliga

Maloney call-up

Five Bundesliga-based players have been named in the US squad by former Energie Cottbus and 1860 Munich defender Gregg Berhalter. They are Dortmund's Gio Reyna, Gladbach's Joe Scally, Kevin Paredes of Wolfsburg, Union Berlin's Brenden Aaronson and the uncapped Lennard Maloney of promoted Heidenheim. But who is Maloney? We introduce the Berlin-born defensive midfielder...

Who are the newcomers?

Nagelsmann also handed maiden call-ups to three Bundesliga regulars in Robert Andrich, Chris Führich and Kevin Behrens. We've taken a look at what the uncapped trio could bring to Germany's team...

Nagelsmann's first squad

The former Hoffenheim, Leipzig and Bayern boss has named a 26-man squad for the games against the US and Mexico. Mats Hummels has been recalled after over two years away from the national team and joins the only other survivor from the 2014 World Cup success, Thomas Müller.

Germany head to the States!

Welcome to live build-up and coverage of Germany's friendly match against the USA in East Hartford, Connecticut as the Julian Nagelsmann era begins. Kick-off on Saturday is at 9pm CEST/3pm local time.