Nagelsmann says Germany wants to finish top
Julian Nagelsmann wants his Germany team to stay perfect as it aims to top Group A at UEFA Euro 2024.
The hosts secured qualification for the Round of 16 by dispatching Hungary 2-0 last time out, after a 5-1 demolition of Scotland in the tournament opener.
Their final group match sees them take on Switzerland, which is two points behind in second place, meaning a defeat for Germany would see the Swiss top the group.
That is a scenario that Nagelsmann is desperate to avoid, as he confirmed there will be few changes to his line-up, despite Germany's progress having been assured.
"Top spot is important. We want to win all our matches," Nagelsmann said.
"I do think it is important to have as many players from the starting 11 on the pitch so that we stay in the rhythm.
"Do not expect to have seven changes to the team. I can rule that out now."
Germany's match with the Swiss will take place in Frankfurt, where England and Denmark played out a 1-1 draw on Friday (AEST), with both sides struggling with how the pitch chopped up.
Deniz Undav, however, says teams simply have to adapt to the surfaces.
"There a still a few days left, so maybe the pitch will improve until then," the forward said.
"But you have to be able to adapt to the conditions. We want to win on Sunday. So, whether we play on grass or stones, we have to win."
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri, meanwhile, knows his team must expect the sternest of challenges.
"We know we are now up against a team that is of a different calibre with their super attack and the euphoria [as hosts]," he said.
"But we are going into the game with confidence and look forward to it. Obviously, we want to trouble the Germans."
This will be Switzerland and Germany's first encounter at a major tournament since the 1966 FIFA World Cup – West Germany beat Switzerland 5-0 in the group stages there. They also met in the 1938 and 1962 FIFA World Cups.
Germany has won each of its past three games at major international tournaments by two or more goals (4-2 v Costa Rica, 5-1 v Scotland, 2-0 v Hungary) with Netherlands the most recent nation to record four such victories in a row at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
Germany is aiming to become the third host nation to win all three of its group stage games at a single edition of the European championships after Netherlands in 2000 and France in 1984.
However, Switzerland is unbeaten in its past three matches against Germany, having won one and drawn two, with those three matches producing 16 goals, an average of 5.3 per game.
The Swiss had lost 16 of its previous 18 matches against Germany, drawing two, so should certainly not be discounted.