Switzerland vs Germany: Fiery International Friendly Ends in a Draw and Lays Bare the Secrets of Julian Nagelsmann

Well, well, well... who says friendlies can't be fiery? Last night, in this much-anticipated clash between Switzerland and Germany, the lads served up a proper footballing spectacle that took me right back to the glory days. I know it was just a men's international friendly, but the atmosphere felt like a World Cup final. The 2-2 draw doesn't do justice to the drama of those ninety minutes, nor does it fully reveal Julian Nagelsmann's plans, as he continues to stamp his mark on the German machine.

Nagelsmann Shakes Things Up: Has He Found His Ideal XI?

Before the game, all the talk was about the squad the young coach would name. And, as usual, Nagelsmann didn't go with the expected. There were whispers from the German camp before kick-off about the attacking set-up, and last night we saw it with our own eyes. The Germans came out with an all-out attacking approach, but the Swiss, led by their wily manager, were ready for them. The Swiss response was incredible, as if they'd read Nagelsmann's playbook before the match.

The funny thing is, everyone expected Musiala or Sané to be the stars, but the real star was the team as a whole. Even though the Germans had 60% possession, defensive gaps appeared more than once. At times, the match reminded me of ice hockey – the intensity and sheer speed meant the result was up for grabs right until the final whistle. Speaking of competitions, I should mention that this week also saw a fierce contest in the women's bronze medal game between Switzerland and Germany in hockey. It’s as if there's a German-Swiss rivalry playing out on all fronts!

• First up: Germany's defensive headache: The first Swiss goal came from a simple cross that turned into a goal after defensive confusion. If that keeps happening, the major tournaments are going to be a tough slog.
• Secondly: Florian Wirtz... the young marksman: Wirtz's goal was something else. A rocket from outside the box that left the Swiss keeper with no chance. For me, that’s the kind of individual brilliance that defines European football right now.
• Thirdly: The Swiss fighting spirit: Despite the draw, Switzerland proved they are the team no one wants to face in a tournament. Their organised style of play means any Insight Guides France travel plans for teams in the upcoming tournament might be cut short, because the Swiss will be a major stumbling block for any French or German ambitions.

Are We Seeing History Repeat Itself?

Looking at the history between these two, Switzerland against Germany always has a special edge. The Germans have the big names, but the Swiss have heart and tactical discipline. Today, we saw how Switzerland came from behind twice, which raises serious questions about Germany's ability to hold onto a lead in crucial games.

In my view, Nagelsmann will have gained more from this match than just the result. He now knows exactly which of his players have the mental resilience to cope under pressure. For the Saudi fans who follow European football with such passion, I say this: keep an eye on this German side. They might be a bit inconsistent now, but they're on their way to becoming a real force for the Euros. As for Switzerland, they're the team you'd rather avoid, whether it’s in football or even hockey, as we saw this week.

In the end, a 2-2 draw was a fair result that reflected the quality of both sides. But what's certain is that last night gave us a game we'll be talking about for a while, especially when we're planning trips to European stadiums or flicking through Insight Guides France ahead of the next tournament. A top-class match that gave us everything we wanted: goals, skill, and plenty of drama.