Musiala chases away shadow of the World Cup

Jamal Musiala absolutely deserved the award as “Man of the Match” – and not just because of his goal.

When asked by a reporter whether he had played the game of his life in the 5-1 win against Scotland at the start of the European Championship, the 21-year-old answered in the affirmative without much thought. “You could say that,” answered the Bayern professional, who delighted the fans in the Munich football arena with his dribbling and was celebrated with thunderous applause when he was substituted.

The tournament could not have started better for the German national team or for him, Musiala enthused shortly before midnight. “Home European Championship, first game, we wanted to get off to a good start. I’m just happy that we scored so many goals. We can go into the next games with confidence,” he said. “We want to do the same on Wednesday,” he announced, looking ahead to the second group game in Stuttgart against Hungary.

“The balls didn’t go in at the World Cup”

Musiala has set himself high goals for his third tournament after the 2021 European Championship, with few minutes of action and the botched 2022 World Cup as a regular player. Especially after the last tournament in Qatar, where he didn’t play badly but wasn’t effective. “At the World Cup, the balls didn’t go in. I’m happy that it went in now.”

Julian Nagelsmann was also extremely pleased with the young star’s strong performance. “Jamal did very well in all areas,” praised the national coach. Nagelsmann also recalled the World Cup, when he was not yet national coach. “In Qatar, he missed his chances. That was bothering him.”

The past is now behind us. “It was a good sign,” said Musiala, of himself and the entire team. Together with Florian Wirtz, also 21 years old from Leverkusen, who scored the 1-0, he could even make a mark on the home European Championship. Before the tournament began, Nagelsmann had demanded that the young stars, who already go by the name “Wusiala,” improve their goal ratio. Both of them promptly delivered.