Germany star Musiala dismisses Scotland as he says ‘we have too much quality’

JAMAL MUSIALA reckons Scotland can plot all they want on how to stop Germany’s creative forces – they’re still going to struggle.

The German wonderkid says Scotland will have a hard time handling the attacking threat he and Bundesliga Player of the year pal, Florian Wirtz, will pose.

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Bayer Leverkusen title winner Wirtz – also 21 – has earned himself the status of one of the world’s most exciting young talents.

He’s also being heavily tipped to leave Bayer in a year’s time for a huge money move to Musiala’s Bayern, Man City or Real Madrid.

Wirtz opened up to SunSport at the team’s daily press conference yesterday at their Herzogenaurach base on his gut-wrenching disappointment of missing the last World Cup due to injury.

And he admitted he’s desperate for the chance to kick-off his first major tournament against the Scots and announce himself with a devastating display.

Musiala, for one, is convinced the electrifying Wirtz will become one of the most talked about stars of Euro 2024.

The Bayern ace – who dropped England for Germany after appearances for the Three Lions’ under-21s – said: “I have plenty of confidence in Florian that he will have a wonderful tournament.

“He has so many qualities and Germany have so many qualities in so many positions.

“It won’t be easy for Scotland, or any other team for that matter, to stifle us.

“Obviously many teams are just like us. They try to establish a regular starting line-up.

“It is a good thing for Germany that we can always put people on as impact subs to create problems for the opposition.

“We are going to meet Scotland on Friday and would love them to be more worried about us than vice versa.

“We have freedom to roam up front and do as we please. Try everything we can do.

“The good thing is we don’t have any firmly assigned positions. And can move around the pitch however we want.”

Musiala was nicknamed Bambi in his early days as a pro due to his eye-catching movement and dribbling skills.

And he revealed he also once enjoyed watching one of Scotland’s major upcoming stars when they were together in Chelsea’s youth set-up.

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Born to a Nigerian father and German mother, raised in England from the age of seven, Musiala said: “Billy Gilmour is a few years older than me.

“But I watched a lot of his football, looking at what the older young players were doing. 

“He is very confident on the ball and had a great breakthrough.

“He was loaned out a couple of times.

“I didn’t talk to him much but I have heard from other players that he has quite an accent – but he is a cool player.

“When I was at Chelsea it was great playing alongside him.

“A few players call me Bambi but I take it as a term of endearment

“I have outgrown that name.

“I’m happy to be called it but I have made a major step forward in terms of body mass and my own game.

“I hope people see I have come on in leaps and bounds.

“I try to become a better player as the months go by.”

Wirtz is impatient for the Euros to start. He’s bursting to prove himself on a massive stage.

And on his Qatar agony and what’s to come, he told me: “Obviously it was a major blow for me to have this ACL injury prior to the World Cup.

“But I talked to the coaching staff and they said it was best for me to complete my rehab and join the team after.

“This is my first major tournament and playing in our home country, it is a special occasion.

“I am FULL of anticipation ahead of the opening game against Scotland.

“We have plenty of unpredictable things up our sleeves and we have solutions in tight spaces. That is what me and Jamal are there for.”

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Musiala, a veteran by comparison with two tournaments already behind him, and Wirtz sat side by side at the media podium – the representing the future of German football.

And of their double act – supported in midfield by legends Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan – Musiala said: “We hit it off immediately at training and this is where our friendship started.

“The thing is we are not meant to overdo the beauty of the game.

“Find the right moment for dribbling but DON’T join the step-over brigade and play for the stands.

“Keep sober but be creative and down to earth.

“The coaches love us if we bring individuality to the game – but that said there is a clear match-plan.”

Wirtz said: “Jamal is a nice chap. I get on very well with him, we share many interests and just like each other and playing football we have the same ideas.

“We worked very well over the last few days.

“We know how to approach Scotland.

“We did some dead-ball situations. Today was tactics and relaxation to be fit on Friday.

“It’s a great thing to be compared to people who have had wonderful careers with Germany.

“That said, I would be loath to be put into that category.

“I don’t want to be Schweinsteiger and Podoloski take two.

“Me and Jamal are different player types – we want to bring our own qualities to the table and be successful.”

Wirtz, the scorer of the quickest goal in Germany’s international history at SEVEN SECONDS versus France in March, won’t lack for family support at the Munich Football Arena.

He has NINE brothers and sisters.

Go Ballistic – SunSport’s new podcast

SUNSPORT is going Ballistic with the launch of our brilliant new podcast.

Every day of the Euros host Roger Hannah will bring you all the latest news and views from the Scotland camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

He will be joined by our men in Germany – Bill Leckie, Robert Grieve and Derek McGregor.

And there will also be special guest appearances from our Euro 2024 columnist Gordon Strachan, regular columnist Kris Boyd and bookie basher Jim Delahunt.

You can watch every episode on our website or our brand new YouTube channel.

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