by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Serge Gnabry's white headband gave him the look of a determined warrior.
As if the impression carried a message, the 30-year-old Bayern Munich forward became Germany's driving force in their 4-0 victory over Luxembourg in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The win, which sent the 2014 World Cup champions back to the top of their group, offered a ray of optimism - and further underlined Gnabry's resurgence.
Operating freely behind the front line appears to suit him perfectly. His tally of five goals and three assists this season in league and international play provides evidence of, as he put it, "me feeling well."
Having stayed injury-free, the Bayern player has become a model of dedication. "You need a role model like him affecting the entire team," said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Gnabry's goals are one thing, but his lion-hearted fighting spirit completed the positive impression ahead of Germany's next qualifier in Belfast against Northern Ireland on Monday.
Nagelsmann's decision to move midfielder Joshua Kimmich to full-back also paid off. The coach, 38, praised Kimmich's 70-meter defensive sprinting efforts as proof that "he and the team wanted to make a statement."
Nagelsmann described the win as an important first step but cautioned that Northern Ireland would offer tougher resistance.
While fighting for a contract extension with Bayern, Gnabry reflected on his struggles last season, citing a private "stroke of faith" he preferred not to disclose.
"If things like that happen, you're somehow out of order, as your mind is busy with other things than sports," he said. "We are no robots, we are humans despite our exposed position as professional sportsmen."
"As time went by, I managed to return to my job and I again enjoy playing football," he added, noting that "the ride with Bayern gives me confidence."
Nagelsmann attributed Gnabry's revival to renewed trust. "He knows he is not only needed for 20 minutes, but the entire game," the coach said, adding that the certainty of starting again "gives him a relieving feeling."
Gnabry said he now embraces a leadership role and aims to support younger players.
"I remember what I learned from players like Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil. Now I do the same; I am here for young players and try to make them feel comfortable," he said. ■
