Nagelsmann rules out Kimmich midfield switch for Germany's World Cup knockout tie

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has no immediate plans to shift captain Joshua Kimmich from right-back to midfield, despite the team's recent 2-1 loss to Ecuador. Nagelsmann expressed confidence in midfielders Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha, stating they are performing well and he does not want to "give them up."

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I don't want to give up Felix and Pavlo. I think they are doing well. You can't rule anything out in football, but a change isn't planned at the moment.

"You can't rule anything out in football, but a change isn't planned at the moment," Nagelsmann told reporters. He acknowledged Kimmich's strong performance at right-back during the 2024 European Championship and noted that Kimmich effectively plays in midfield during possession phases. The coach also confirmed that Kimmich's substitution in the Ecuador match was pre-arranged due to his demanding season with Bayern Munich.

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That is solely the coach's decision. And where he feels I can best help. That's where I'll play.

With only four days until their first knockout game on Monday, Nagelsmann is adjusting the team's preparation schedule. Unlike previous matches, the team will train the day after their loss to conserve time. Nathaniel Brown, who missed the Ecuador game with adductor problems, is expected to be fully fit for the next match, providing a boost to the squad.

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Jo had a very demanding season at Bayern.