Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has highlighted the performance of team captain Ilkay Gündogan against Scotland on Friday, Soccernet.football reports.
Euro 2024 hosts Germany kicked off their campaign with a spectacular 5-1 victory over Scotland at the Fußball Arena München.
Germany’s goals were scored by Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz in the first half before Niclas Füllkrug and Emre Can added to the haul after the break.
There were applauds too for the performance of midfield maestro Toni Kroos after the Real Madrid star recorded a 99% pass accuracy.
However, many missed the brilliance of Gündogan who won five of his ten duels, completed 91% of his passes, and won the penalty for Havertz’s goal.
But Gündogan’s performance was not lost on coach Nagelsmann who felt the Barcelona star deserved a goal to crown his all-round impressive showing.
“He played very well, was very committed and focused, and he deserved a goal,” the 36-year-old coach told DW.
Gündogan has titles at club level, having won the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in 2022-23 with Manchester City.
The former Borussia Dortmund star, in his fifth tournament with Germany, believes the time is right to claim his first international title.
“We want to become European champions,” said Gündogan.
“We can win on so many levels at this home European Championship. As good hosts, as a cosmopolitan society, and hopefully on the pitch at the end of the day. Please help us to make our dream come true together.”
Germany will next face Hungary at the Stuttgart Arena with a win guaranteed to see them qualify for the Round of 16 with a game to spare.