Deniz Undav puts Julian Nagelsmann in a luxurious quandary

Last Bundesliga season, Undav finished as the top German goalscorer with 19 goals, and for the national team he has now scored six times in eight appearances. "I've always been confident," Undav stated. "I just want to enjoy the moment and keep going." Selection, he added, is ultimately the coach's call.

Nagelsmann now knows exactly what he has in Undav. When things got tough against the second-tier Finns in the first half, he headed in a cross from Joshua Kimmich in true centre-forward style to give his side a much-needed lead. For the third goal, he remained clinical in front of goal following a perfect pass from Lennart Karl.

"We need players who can put the ball over the line. He did that very well," praised Nagelsmann. The competition remains fierce: Undav has edged ahead of Nick Woltemade, who only appeared as a late substitute, yet Kai Havertz—due to link up with the squad in Chicago after the Champions League final—still ranks higher in Nagelsmann's estimation.

Germany, Chicago

deniz undav, julian nagelsmann, bundesliga, germany, top scorer, national team, joshua kimmich, kai havertz, nick woltemade, chicago