Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has shed light on the resurgence of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund players forming the backbone of his national team squad — a return to tradition that appears to be paying off handsomely after a convincing 4-0 victory over Luxembourg in World Cup qualifying.
For over a decade, Bayern and Dortmund have dominated the German national setup. From the golden generation that included Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze, and Marco Reus, the rivalry between the two Bundesliga powerhouses has often transformed into collaboration when international duty called. Under former coaches, that formula brought cohesion, competition, and — most notably — World Cup glory in 2014.
However, during Nagelsmann’s early tenure, he broke from that tradition. The former Bayern boss initially sought to reshape Germany’s identity by diversifying squad selection, introducing talents from VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt, and other Bundesliga clubs. At one stage, only two Bayern Munich players featured in his national team — a drastic shift that symbolized a fresh start.
But fast-forward to today, and Nagelsmann’s latest selection suggests a return to the tried-and-tested formula. Speaking after Germany’s dominant win over Luxembourg, he acknowledged that Bayern and Dortmund once again form the largest contingents in his squad — and for good reason.
“Right now, we have the biggest blocks in the team from Bayern and Dortmund,” Nagelsmann explained. “Bayern are having an outstanding season. Of course, players like Harry Kane and Michael Olise have been very important, but the German players are crucial too. Aleks Pavlović has been playing more regularly, Jonathan Tah is growing in stability, and Joshua Kimmich continues to perform at the highest level.”
The cohesion among these players was evident as Germany dismantled Luxembourg with confidence and fluidity. An early red card for the visitors certainly tilted the balance, but even before that, the Germans looked dominant — moving the ball with precision and purpose. The energy, intensity, and camaraderie on display marked a clear improvement from their previous lackluster outings.
Nagelsmann’s decision to re-embrace Bayern and Dortmund’s core may not just be nostalgia — it could be the key to rebuilding Germany’s competitive spirit ahead of major tournaments. As he refines his tactical vision, the combination of domestic familiarity and elite quality could propel Die Mannschaft back to the top of world football — proving that sometimes, the old formula remains the best one.
