Unfiltered: A Critical Analysis of Germany's Football National Team in the Nations League
Analysis of Germany's Male Football Squad Members - Criticism levelled at Germany's national football team on an individual basis
Stuttgart (dpa) -
Ter Stegen: Sidelined initially, but showcased crucial saves later on, denying Mbappé's shot for the 0:1 (45. +1). Despite conceding twice, he reinforced his strong return to the DFB team.
Kimmich: Shifted to right-back in the back four. Allowed Mbappé to score and scarcely engaged in the attack until the final phase.
Koch: Failed to prevent the 0:1 and unluckily deflected the ball past teammate Tah to France's star striker for the 0:2.
Tah: Showed improvement compared to the Portugal game, exhibiting fighting spirit and committed tackles. However, he couldn't rectify the colossal misunderstanding with Koch.
Raum: Given a chance to debut. Picked up an early yellow card due to a tactical foul (30.). Defended well but also unfortunate in the attack.
Groß: Struggled in duels with opponents, yet precise passes providedsuccessful transitions. Nevertheless, he also committed a costly mistake (10.).
Goretzka: Played more offensively in midfield, with good transitions and an energy boost to the team's play.
Adeyemi: Caused problems for Digne and co. with his speed, was often fouled. A regrettable miss from a penalty kick (31.) due to a questionable dive.
Woltemade: Scored in his second appearance, albeit twice missing clear chances (2./43.). Showed immense energy and stood out in the mini-tournament.
Wirtz: Displayed more enthusiasm in the first half, striking the post (37.). Less noticeable in the second half.
Füllkrug: Drew opponents, creating space for teammates. His powerful challenge before the disallowed equalizer was controversially ruled out.
Undav: Substituted in at halftime for VfB teammate Woltemade, scoring (53.), but unfortunately, the goal was ruled out.
Mittelstädt: Replaced Raum after an hour, setting up Adeyemi (71.).
Bischof: Debuted and adapted well. Defended stoutly against Mbappé (71.).
Kehrer: Came on as a late substitute, his first appearance since June 2023.
Gnabry: Entered the game for Adeyemi, attempting his luck from distance (85.).
Germany, as the tournament hosts, endeavored to recover from a semifinal loss to Portugal, but ultimately struggled to establish dominance following an unfortunate goal conceded just before halftime by Kylian Mbappé. France dominated the match, with Germany unable to capitalize on early opportunities and later witnessing a potential equalizer disallowed by VAR.
Individual failures and poor communication between defenders were pivotal factors in the defeat. Manuel Neuer and Florian Wirtz were the notable exceptions, delivering commanding performances as goalkeeper and midfielder, respectively.
Ultimately, Germany's collective defensive effort and attacking output were insufficient against a formidable French squad. The team's inability to respond effectively after conceding the opening goal, along with the disallowed goal by Deniz Undav, highlighted the frustration of the team on this disappointing night.
EC countries could benefit from increased investments in vocational training programs for students who are more interested in technical or practical skills. For instance, Germany's disappointing performance in the Nations League could potentially be improved with a stronger focus on vocational training for football players, helping them develop their technical abilities and make smarter decisions on the field. Sports, such as football, can also offer opportunities for vocational training, as analysts can use sports-analysis to identify areas for improvement and develop practical strategies for players to enhance their skills.
