Germany's Nagelsmann focuses on knockout stage after Ecuador loss

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann adopted a stoic outlook following his team's final World Cup group stage match loss to Ecuador, emphasizing the need to look ahead to the knockout rounds. Germany, having already secured qualification, fell 1-2 despite an early goal from Leroy Sane. They are set to face one of the best third-place teams on Monday in the round of 32.

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We have to learn from (the loss) and improve, but we also have to look forward. On Monday it's important that we start well.

Nagelsmann stressed the importance of learning from the defeat and improving, particularly in maintaining calmness and control in certain situations to avoid squandering leads. "When you have such a good start and take the lead you have to be patient to find the spaces to build," he told reporters. "Today we lost a little bit of control after the lead."

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When you have such a good start and take the lead you have to be patient to find the spaces to build. Today we lost a little bit of control after the lead.

Sane's opening goal in the second minute was a positive note, with Nagelsmann expressing happiness for the player. The manager also addressed his tactical substitutions, including midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic at halftime and Felix Nmecha in the 64th minute. He defended these changes, stating, "Felix and Pavlo did very well, they gave us a good start for the match... I did not plan to bench any one of them."

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I was very happy. He had a good position for the goal. He really did a good job preparing.

Looking ahead, Nagelsmann remained non-committal about the starting lineup for Monday's crucial match. He indicated that decisions would be based on performance in Sunday's training session. "We will look at the training session on Sunday and make a new decision... and we'll see who will start then," he stated.

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That’s the problem as a coach - you bring one in, you let one go. Felix and Pavlo did very well, they gave us a good start for the match... I did not plan to bench any one of them.