Nagelsmann believes he 'doesn't have anything to prove' as Germany set for Paraguay tie

[p]The Germans came into the World Cup on a nine-match ‌winning run and demolished [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/curacao/bLLGpOkQ/"]Curacao[/a] 7-1 in their Group E ‌opener before snatching a stoppage-time win against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ivory-coast/G2FRjBgn/"]Ivory Coast[/a], to secure top spot.[/p][p]They ‌had suffered first-round exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups ‌and looked set for a 12th straight win before a shock 2-1 loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ecuador/8tbm8Tri/"]Ecuador[/a] in their last group match snapped their streak and instantly raised alarm ‌bells among their fans.[/p][p]The defeat, while having no ⁠consequences, having sealed top spot, piled ‌instant pressure on Nagelsmann, who had repeatedly said before the tournament that the ​goal was to win the title.[/p][p][b]"It is only about the team and success," Nagelsmann told a press conference. "To bring onto the ​pitch the good atmosphere we have as a group. I don't feel I have to prove anything apart to help my players and ⁠prepare them for the game."[/b][/p][p][b]"I ​do not think I have any responsibility to prove myself to anyone," he added.[/b][/p][image alt="Germany - Paraguay win probability" id="85bca05a-bd8b-4050-afee-bfaac80a1ac7" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="06d34e85-8bcd-40ca-9266-a82e7e000cc9" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Nagelsmann has been in charge since September 2023 and is taking part in his first World Cup. He has insisted on leaving top scorer [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/undav-deniz/tUHAdtMH/"]‌Deniz Undav[/a] on the bench at the start of all three group matches, with the forward having netted three times and delivered two assists as a substitute so far in this tournament.[/p][p]He has also been criticised back home for sticking to a specific lineup despite some players still out of form, including [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/musiala-jamal/nVzSNrOf/"]Jamal Musiala[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wirtz-florian/0Q5gjImi/"]Florian Wirtz[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/paraguay/YaNlqp6j/"]Paraguay[/a] advanced as one of the eight best third-place finishers at the expanded 48-team tournament and are the clear underdog going into the game on Monday.[/p][p][b]"They ‌are a very uncomfortable opponent who will be demanding a lot from ​us," Nagelsmann said. He said expectations in Germany were for ‌the team to always win.[/b][/p][p][b]"It is always about winning when talking about the national team, trying to win every game. How you deal with expectations is just self-confidence, give the players a good plan so they feel comfortable and do the right things on the ⁠pitch.[/b][/p][p][b]"If you win everything is perfect, ⁠if you lose everything is ‌bad, so we have to win tomorrow," he said.[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/germany-ptQide1O/paraguay-YaNlqp6j/?mid=2y2UKhp1"]Follow the game with Flashscore.[/a][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]