Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany coach, admitted in a press conference that it took some effort to convince Toni Kroos to return to the national team, where he will cap off his professional career at the Euro 2024.

Back in 2021, the former Real Madrid player decided to retire from international duty. However, a call from Nagelsmann changed his mind, and now, at 34, he will have the chance to say goodbye to his country's fans on the field, wearing the Germany jersey.

“Toni is crucial for us; you can give him the ball at any moment. He's important for everyone, especially the younger players. It took some convincing. He told me he’d only come back if he felt we could win something with the team. And then he said, 'Yeah, let's do it,’” Nagelsmann highlighted.

He also called for unity from his country, the host of the Euro 2024, to achieve good results in a tournament that kicks off this Friday in Munich with a match between Germany and Scotland.

“We just need to bring everything to the field and believe in ourselves. It's great when everyone in the stadium is behind us. I hope we all enjoy a great tournament starting tomorrow and in the coming weeks. I want us to be united as a country, and tomorrow we all need to make a lot of noise. We have to take advantage of being the hosts,” he said.

“I’m nervous, but it’s not that dramatic. I was nervous before every math exam. It didn’t go very well back then, but I hope tomorrow goes better,” he joked.

He also spoke about another notable German figure, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has been under scrutiny for his performances. In Germany’s last friendly against Greece, Neuer faced criticism for an error leading to the only goal scored by the Greeks. Nagelsmann defended his goalkeeper after the match and reiterated his support before the game against Scotland.

“Manuel (Neuer) and I know how the media works. Everyone has to do their job. Things calmed down after my statement. I don’t care what they say about my players. Manu has my trust and will have a good tournament,” he asserted.

Regarding Scotland, Nagelsmann described them as a “very good” team with four or five excellent players, quality fullbacks, and an “exceptional” mentality. He expects a tough match for Germany.

“It’s normal to feel a bit of pressure before a game like this. Pressure is a privilege. We’re going to share our moment with the entire sports world over the next few weeks. We enjoy what we do on the field. There are thousands of players who want to feel this pressure because it’s a privilege. We try to enjoy it and be the best team. We can handle the pressure and beat Scotland,” he explained.

“The Scots fight for every ball. They don’t just battle for second balls; they also have many skilled players with the ball at their feet. We need to stay focused to prevent their crosses. We have to be ready for many Scottish players in our area. We need to score one more goal,” he declared.

Lastly, he talked about his decision to replace Aleksandar Pavlovic, who is suffering from tonsillitis, with Emre Can: “We chose him. In case we need to make a change, we don’t do Rocco Reitz any favors by playing his first international match. It’s more for protection. Can is very quick, has a strong header, and is well accepted in the group. He made a good impression today. Returning from vacation so abruptly is not easy,” he concluded.