by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has developed a set of core principles during his eight years as a professional coach, with team spirit at the forefront. As the 37-year-old continues to guide the 2014 FIFA World Cup winners through a successful relaunch, his progress faces a critical test in upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands.

Nagelsmann has been forced into a phase of improvisation, with six key players unavailable. "We stick to our strategy of treating every game as preparation for the 2026 World Cup," he said. Despite these setbacks, the focus remains on building team unity, particularly during October's challenges.

The absences of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Niclas Fullkrug, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, David Raum, and Robin Koch have forced Nagelsmann to call up several fresh faces. Newcomers Tim Kleindienst, Jamie Leweling, Jonathan Burgardt, and Kevin Schade will join returnees Serge Gnabry and Robin Gosens as part of the squad.

Nagelsmann is sticking to his policy of selecting players who are performing well for their clubs, offering newcomers a chance to shine. Following a 5-0 win over Hungary and a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, Germany, four-time World Cup winners and three-time European champions, aim to maintain their group lead.

Nagelsmann welcomes the challenges ahead, seeing them as opportunities to prepare for future hurdles. "We'll face situations like this until 2026," he said. "Team spirit is key to any successful team."

The call-ups of players like Leweling raised some eyebrows. The Stuttgart winger even double-checked the legitimacy of the coach's call on social media. "When I saw his picture connected to the number, I knew it was real," Leweling said. Kleindienst shared a similar story, celebrating with his wife after confirming his selection.

With regulars like Fullkrug, Musiala and Havertz absent, these new faces may be relied upon to form the attack. Nagelsmann downplayed any concerns about the increasing frequency of injuries, saying, "We have to take things as they come."

Germany have only four days to build the necessary cohesion. To accelerate this process, Nagelsmann has emphasized communication with his players. "Clear communication gives everyone a clear picture of their role," he said. Enditem

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