Striker celebrates first DFB start: Deniz Undav crowns debut in Müller jersey with “rotten assist”

Striker celebrates first DFB start
Deniz Undav crowns debut in Müller jersey with “bad assist”

11.09.2024, 07:42

A debut in the starting eleven with a goal and an assist – that’s fitting. Deniz Undav raves about an “outstanding day” after the 2-2 draw against Holland. And he gets praise from the captain.

Deniz Undav proudly wore the national jersey with the number 13, taken from Thomas Müller and in which he scored his first goal for Germany, as a trophy from the Amsterdam Arena. “My wife and daughter will get this as a souvenir for my first international goal,” said the 28-year-old VfB Stuttgart striker after the German national football team’s 2:2 draw in the Nations League match against the Netherlands.

“I’m following in big footsteps,” he said of his new number. “But if anyone can do it, I think it’s me.” The Stuttgart player had every reason to show off his self-confidence. His debut in the starting eleven with a goal and an assist – that was something after three previous appearances as a substitute. “I’m really happy. I really wanted to score. I’ve done it now,” he said beaming, quickly highlighting his special qualities on RTL.

It’s one that reminds us of Müller, the “Radio Müller” version. “I talk a lot, I have a lot of fun, I just try to get people on board so that they don’t take it too seriously and have fun in life,” he said, adding with a laugh: “I try not to change. Until at some point you get fed up with me…”

Someone like Müller, not only at the microphone

But like Müller, Undav is not just a man of words, but someone whose apparent technical incompetence gives him new perspectives on the pitch. In the 1:1, he was successful in the 38th minute with a direct shot from ten meters that was not technically easy. That was exhibition piece one. The encore soon followed. It was “a rotten pass,” as the joker himself called his unintentional pass to Joshua Kimmich that put the team 2:1 ahead at half-time. “I actually wanted to shoot at the goal,” admitted sly Undav. The ball slipped, but landed in the path of captain Joshua Kimmich, who pushed the ball into the goal.

“It was an outstanding day for me,” rejoiced Undav after his 64-minute appearance. He was the only new player to join the team after the 5-0 win at the start of the Nations League, because striker Niclas Füllkrug was unable to play due to Achilles tendon irritation.

Undav had waited a little impatiently for his chance. But he had forced his way into the team during training. The captain praised him for how he took advantage of the opportunity, although he initially struggled to get into action. “I like the players best who make demands and back them up when they are called upon. Deniz did that,” said Kimmich.