“Sack Nagelsmann”, “Germany are cooked” - Fans frustrated as Germany boss drops Wirtz from line-up but starts 25-year-old vs Denmark at Euro 2024

Germany fans expressed their displeasure with their team's starting XI released to face Denmark in their Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash on June 29. Most of the reactions were based on Julian Nagelsmann's decision to start Kai Havertz while dropping Florian Wirtz for the much-anticipated fixture.

Wirtz, 21 has made three appearances at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament for Germany. He will have to make do with a place on the bench against Denmark. Meanwhile, Havertz 25, who hasn't been in his best form in the competition, will have to once again lead the line for Die Mannschaft.

Head coach Negelsman has opted for an attacking trio comprising of Kai Havertz, Leroy Sane, and Jamal Musiala. The starting midfielders are Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich, and İlkay Gündoğan.

Following the announcement of the starting XI, some fans weren't too pleased with the inclusion of Havertz in the lineup. One fan tweeted, via X (formerly Twitter):

"Sack Nagelsmann. How can this fraud Havertz still be in the starting lineup.

Another fan tweeted:

"Havertz starting…. germany are cooked."

Another fan also reacted to Havertz starting, he tweeted:

"Havertz😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 unbelievable."

Check out more reactions that followed Germany's starting XI announcement below:

---

Germany head coach defends misfiring Kai Havertz amid calls to drop the striker

Nagelsmann has come in to defend Arsenal striker Havertz, who hasn't had the best of start to the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament. Despite scoring one goal and registering one assist in the competition thus far, fans haven't been too pleased with the striker's performance. There have even been calls for him to be dropped against Denmark in place of Borussia Dortmund's striker Niclas Füllkrug.

In an interview ahead of the Round of 16 clash, head coach Nagelsmann said that Havertz has done his part well enough. He said that being a striker isn't all about scoring goals, as the fans may see it, saying via Goal:

"If you look at it from the outside, a demand for Fülle is understandable, even though Kai comes off much worse in the public assessment. He has a clear job in many games, which means that he doesn't have many ball actions because he should create space for others."

Nagelsmann continued:

"He did that exceptionally well. In the internal assessment, Kai is ranked much higher than in the public. For the striker, it's not always just about scoring a goal. If you're substituted and the opponent is already tired, you might have a little more space. Fülle has a good rating, but Kai is an important player for us. We'll see who starts [against Denmark]."

The German tactician has now opted to start Havertz once again for Germany against Denmark.