Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill unmoved by Julian Nagelsmann’s ‘long ball’ remark

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says it is not his job to set up the team for any “other manager to come and beat” his side.The comment came after Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann described Northern Ireland’s style as “not brilliant to watch” following his side’s 3-1 win in Cologne during World Cup qualifying last month.Nagelsman added: “It not easy to defend a lot of long balls and not easy to defend a lot of second balls.”The sides will meet again this month, with Germany coming to Belfast on Monday, 13 October, three days after Northern Ireland face Slovakia at Windsor Park, with both games live across the BBC.Speaking on BBC NI’s coverage of the game in Germany, former Northern Ireland defender Stephen Craigan said he felt the description “was a bit disrespectful”.”I don’t put respectful or disrespectful on any of that,” O’Neill replied when asked about Nagelsmann’s comments.”I watched the game back. I didn’t really read the comments, it is something like long balls or something, but Germany played a lot of long balls too.”



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