Germany take 'very good step' as Nagelsmann begins with win over USA

Euro 2024 hosts ease to a 3-1 friendly victory in Connecticut in new manager's first game in charge

Jamal Musiala scored the third goal for Germany in the 3-1 win over the United States. AFP

Julian Nagelsmann believes Germany took a "very good step" on Saturday as the new manager began his tenure with a comfortable 3-1 international friendly win over the United States.

Germany looked much improved from the team that had suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Japan last month, a result which saw Hansi Flick fired as coach after a run of five matches without a win.

The Euro 2024 hosts could ill-afford another surprise loss but they delivered a solid, well-rounded performance after recovering from a Christian Pulisic opener for the USA in the match at East Hartford, Connecticut.

Although Pascal Gross struck the post early on for Germany, who were missing midfielder Joshua Kimmich due to illness, the home side looked threatening with Pulisic and Tim Weah lively on the flanks.

Gio Reyna, who had gone through a bitter public row with coach Gregg Berhalter after the World Cup last year, returned to the starting lineup and provided some creative touches as the Americans started well.

Pulisic put the USA ahead in the 27th minute with a superb solo goal, cutting in from the left flank and then unleashing a fine drive into the far corner.

But that appeared to serve merely as a wake-up call for Germany with Ilkay Gundogan levelling in the 39th minute after good work from Leroy Sane.

Sane dribbled across the American defence, played a one-two with Gundogan and tried to go round American goalkeeper Matt Turner, who could only push the ball into the path of Gundogan, who had a simple conversion.

Germany went ahead in the 58th with centre-forward Niclas Fuellkrug slotting home after a perfectly weighted one-touch pass from Robin Gosens.

With the USA defence in disarray, Fuellkrug then set up the lively Jamal Musiala for a simple tap-in to make it 3-1 for the Euro 2024 hosts.

"Against a good team with a lot of speed, we took a very good step in terms of football," said Nagelsmann, who felt his team had been too rushed in the opening 45 minutes.

"In the second half, we also had a fast pace of play, but more patience and control. That was the difference,"

Berhalter's Americans missed the impact of injured central midfielder Tyler Adams and Pulisic noted their weakness at the back.

"It hurts. We had a good start to the game. I felt like we hurt them in a lot of moments. But yeah, little mistakes here and there. Defensively, we can be a bit better," the AC Milan winger said.

"Obviously, we have to give them credit. They have some unbelievable players. They played a strong game."

Germany will face Mexico in Philadelphia on Tuesday, when the USA will take on Ghana in Nashville.