Talk to RTL (via @iMiaSanMia), Deniz Undav commented on his first goal for the national team as well as the team as a whole after their 2-2 draw against the Netherlands.
Undav equalised for Germany in the 38th minute after the Germans had been 1-0 down by the Netherlands early in the game. It was the 28-year-old’s first start for Germany, replacing the injured Niclas Füllkrug. The VfB Stuttgart forward then turned provider for Joshua Kimmich, giving Germany the lead at the break.
About his first goal, Undav said:
“I’m very happy to score my first goal in my first start, especially against a team like the Netherlands. Although of course I would have liked to win the game. I had no pressure and I just tried to play my game and score, it worked today.”
Since Julian Nagelsmann took over the team, Germany has made huge strides and is much closer to the giants of international football that it once was. The performance at EURO 2024 not only showed the progress Germany has made, but also caused the country’s love for its team to wane again. Undav then wondered if Germany was once again among the elite of international football.
The 28-year-old replied:
“Not yet. But we are on the right track. The chemistry within the team is incredible. We still have to learn, we made mistakes that should not happen at this level. I am convinced that we can improve and achieve great things.”
For Germany, the October international break will once again consist of Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina before the return leg in Munich against the Netherlands.
GGFN | Jack Meenan