German Football (2018-2021) - What's happened to them?

[Saj]

Their strikers are struggling.
Their defence is all over the place.
The midfielders look confused.
The manager seems confused regarding the formation and the best line-up.

They look a spent force at the moment.

What's going wrong?

Disclaimer - never write them off, as they could still go on and win the World Cup

 

[hadi123]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Football is a simple game, 22 men chase the ball for 82 minutes and the Germans get a player sent off so 21 men chase the ball for 13 minutes and at the end the Germans somehow ****ing win.</p>— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1010612676530196480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[DeadBall]

Still think they will win the World Cup. Supporter belief is a bit down though as they we are celebrating the win against Sweden today as they had won the World Cup. No signs of confidence. However to be fair the ending was quite dramatic though.

 

[Sirris]

I was so disgusted by today's match. Uptill 94min30sec.

This was not the German efficiency I am used to. Numerous missed chances and these were proper chances and your typical German team would have made them count.

I want the German efficiency back.

The free kick at the last minute was of course a good example of how the German efficiency can look like.

 

[Sirris]

Still think they will win the World Cup. Supporter belief is a bit down though as they we are celebrating the win against Sweden today as they had won the World Cup. No signs of confidence. However to be fair the ending was quite dramatic though.

At around 94min 30sec every German fan was sure the world cup is over for them and they are going home. Yeah mathematically there was still a chance but Germans are not used to relying on others to go through.

That's what makes the last second turn around surreal and dramatic.

 

[Hasan123]

Something doesn't seem right in the camp. Lowe has also made some weird decisions. Today could be the day their campaign gets up and running.

 

[shaz619]

Imagine there's a beautiful woman you're really into and finally after years of effort you finally manage to woe her, soon after you wont feel as much thrill or desire to woe her again and again because your goal has been achieved so will need to find that same passion to maintain this woman over a longer period and that's not always so straight forward.

Germany are going through a similar phase but after all these years we can finally say that they are human after all. But one thing I expect is that they will not quit despite their issues and will fight till the end unlike certain other teams.

 

[PakLFC]

Said at half time that Germany would win 2-1. Watch out for them now, they have the bit between their teeth

 

[Syed1]

I can't understand their team selection today there was no Ozil no Khedira... Brandt has been substituted in twice in two games and hardly played a total of 10 mins but hit the post twice already, perhaps a case of him getting more playing time. Gomes has hardly featured.



Garbage team selection

 

[MMHS]

Germany improves with the tournament. Normally, in major tournaments, where they start slowly, they end up in semi final; while when they start great ...end up winning it!!!

I think, Herr Low is stuck in between his tried & tested soldiers - players whom have served him for so may years - Nauer, Boateng, Kroos (He scored indeed, but wasn't that good for other 90 minutes), Muller. Also, Germany has so much depth that it's impossible to satisfy everyone, even Sane couldn't make it.

I think, suspension of Boateng is a blessing in disuse - all 3 CBs sitting out today (Hummels, Ginter, Sule) are far better options. Next game Ozil should come back, but not sure about Khedira - Rudy might be out for WC, but Gundogan had a good game. Biggest call is Muller - Low might drop him and start with Draxler or Brandt at wide midfield/wing (where Sane was sensational for MCity this year).

Still backing Germany to make the Final unless they face France or Spain before that. If it's Germany V Brazil in round of 16, I back Germany to pass.

 

[Hasan123]

Germany improves with the tournament. Normally, in major tournaments, where they start slowly, they end up in semi final; while when they start great ...end up winning it!!!

I think, Herr Low is stuck in between his tried & tested soldiers - players whom have served him for so may years - Nauer, Boateng, Kroos (He scored indeed, but wasn't that good for other 90 minutes), Muller. Also, Germany has so much depth that it's impossible to satisfy everyone, even Sane couldn't make it.

I think, suspension of Boateng is a blessing in disuse - all 3 CBs sitting out today (Hummels, Ginter, Sule) are far better options. Next game Ozil should come back, but not sure about Khedira - Rudy might be out for WC, but Gundogan had a good game. Biggest call is Muller - Low might drop him and start with Draxler or Brandt at wide midfield/wing (where Sane was sensational for MCity this year).

Still backing Germany to make the Final unless they face France or Spain before that. If it's Germany V Brazil in round of 16, I back Germany to pass.

Muller has been much worse than Ozil but still hasn't been dropped. Hummels and Ruddiger can do a good job as a pairing. Don't mind Sule starting as well.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Germany has been by far the most exciting and efficient football nation in the world since last 10 years or so. They were bound to have a phase like this somewhere down the line. Yes they don't look invincible now but if there's one thing you can 101% associate with Germans its their resilience and yesterday's game was the perfect example of it.

I myself don't feel this team is winning the cup but i still think it's gonna take some doing knocking them out. Germany thrives in pressure. Win or lose but they don't seem to get bothered by the pressure of big games and that's what is gonna be interesting to see in coming matches. In hindsight this early kick up the backside has really charged their batteries to the maximum. The complacency is gone. The aura has been smashed. Germany has to pull itself up from the ground and show the world once again why they are such a popular and intimidating a football nation. I don't know if the cup is coming back but Germany will have its high points during the tournament i still believe.

 

[Saj]

I thought they looked a better team once Ilkay Gundogan came on.

He looked composed on the ball and controlled the pace of the game and passed the ball nicely.

 

[Junaids]

I called this correctly before the tournament started.

Joegi Loew has systematically replaced his strikers, full-backs and defensive midfielders with more attacking midfielders, in a 2-0-8-0 formation.

It reminds me of this....,,

They get in the way of one another, and he forgets the value of a goal poacher like Klose.

 

[MMHS]

Muller has been much worse than Ozil but still hasn't been dropped. Hummels and Ruddiger can do a good job as a pairing. Don't mind Sule starting as well.

I think, one solution could be is to play Muller as Centre Forward. He isn't quick enough to play at wings and certainly can't play as No. 10 now. But, he can play as target man - still one of the best shooter of the game (has 10 goals in WC, scored probably from 15 shots!!!), his position sense is fantastic, can shoot with both feet, and he is German - MUST be good in air.

Their wing backs are great (Even Hector, while Kimmich is probably the best right back right now), CB pairing of Hummels + Rudiger/Sule/Ginter can be as good as any one; add to that Neuer.

Gundogan & Kroos as CM, Ozil just behind Muller as No. 10 and Reus + Draxlar/Brandt at wings - this team can win the Cup!!!!

You can never write off Germany until & unless they have left the country. I think, they made a blunder by not picking Sane, and this XI is a bit slow; but last time they won WC in South America without Reus, when he was probably better than what Sane is now.

 

[Abdullah]

I'm worried about the Germans now.
Not for them.
That goal was big.
Hope they struggle in the last game

 

[Hasan123]

I think, one solution could be is to play Muller as Centre Forward. He isn't quick enough to play at wings and certainly can't play as No. 10 now. But, he can play as target man - still one of the best shooter of the game (has 10 goals in WC, scored probably from 15 shots!!!), his position sense is fantastic, can shoot with both feet, and he is German - MUST be good in air.

Their wing backs are great (Even Hector, while Kimmich is probably the best right back right now), CB pairing of Hummels + Rudiger/Sule/Ginter can be as good as any one; add to that Neuer.

Gundogan & Kroos as CM, Ozil just behind Muller as No. 10 and Reus + Draxlar/Brandt at wings - this team can win the Cup!!!!

You can never write off Germany until & unless they have left the country. I think, they made a blunder by not picking Sane, and this XI is a bit slow; but last time they won WC in South America without Reus, when he was probably better than what Sane is now.

Yes I have thought about Muller playing as a CF. But not sure if Lowe wants to play him there now with Werner and Gomez in the squad.

Germany can win the world cup. I'll never rule out the Germans. Just find some of the selections weird . Gorezka not even getting a single minute has been a surprise to me as well.

Sane should have been selected . Offers something different.

 

[Syed1]

Bye bye Germany


0-1 to Mexico

2-1 to Sweden

0-2 to South Korea



First time Germany eliminated in the group stages

 

[James]

What a dreadful effort from Germany. Blown away by Mexico, lucky to win against Sweden and now dumped out by South Korea after a third consecutive tame performance. One of the most disappointing teams at the tournament so far along with Poland.

 

[Itachi]

What a dreadful effort from Germany. Blown away by Mexico, lucky to win against Sweden and now dumped out by South Korea after a third consecutive tame performance. One of the most disappointing teams at the tournament so far along with Poland.

agreed. i am sad though. I supported germany.... never even in my wildest nightmare thought about this....

 

[ManFan]

The curse continues

Team to win WC exits in the group stages the next edition

Italy (2010)

Spain (2014)

Germany (2018)

 

[MenInG]

Mesut Ozil and German fans clash after loss

 

[DHONI183]

Germany - What's happened to them?

The dream is over, and rightly so. Given the way were playing they wouldn't have survived for too long anyway in the tournament. They deserved to exit the group stage. As much as it hurts to be saying this, but it seemed as if Germany had altogether abandoned the attacking style that they play with, the brand that they're known and admired for. They left a lot to desire in the first half of all three matches (in terms of attack), due to which they were always playing the catch up game all the time.

Pardon if my gut feeling or observation is a little too harsh, but it seemed as if Germany were willing to play for draw, in the hope that Mexico won't lose their match at the same time. Once Sweden took the lead the pressure was telling on their faces, and a further increase in Sweden`s score kept pushing them more and more away, knowing that anything less than a win won't do it for them. That's not an excuse or anything though. When you lose two matches out of three, tou`ve got only yourself to blame. They must go back to the way they`'ve playing over the years and must immediately shun this defensive style of play.

Regardless, bye bye Germany. Thanks for the nail-biting win over Sweden though. My most memorable moment of the tournament so far. That leaves me with Messi to support in the rest of the tournament.

 

[Saj]

Too many players over the hill.
Too many players passed their best.
Poor tactics.
Playing players in wrong positions.
Not selecting Sane.

 

[yasir]

Too many players over the hill.
Too many players passed their best.
Poor tactics.
Playing players in wrong positions.
Not selecting Sane.

Remind me of 2006 Brazil, over age stars, should have taken more younger players rather than playing on past reputation...In Foot Ball, speed is vital, touch slow kills you. I feel Spain is doing the same...Pakistan made same Mistake time and again in Misbah era. India is making same mistake by taking too many veterans for WC19

 

[MMHS]

History repeats itself - not for the first time German's are stunned in Russia and irony is that, it's again in Balkan.

2002 was first time defending Champions (France) exited from WC in Group stages. That time, the widely accepted reason was thought that since defending Champs qualify automatically, they often come to defend their title under-prepared. So, in 2006, Brazil became the first defending Champion to make the next WC through qualifiers and they did make the QF. However, since then Italy (Runners-up France as well) exited from group stage in 2010, Spain in 2014 and now Germany.

What I feel is that, there is a "continuity" pressure for defending Champs. Once you win the Cup, often teams continue with same Manager and he carries most of his trusted players, often he uses same formation as well, which often gets teams too aged, less hungry and a bit predictable. Going forward, I think this'll change - Cup winning Manager will be asked to leave with dignity and a new Manager will take charge (Not necessarily 1st timer, can be a former Manager as well), who should bring changes in squad, formation and tactics. For example, this WC, Low decided to drop Sane and kept his 2 long-term favorites Muller & Gomez - no way Gomez, and may be Muller as well would have been in Russia under another Manager.

For Germany as well, German FA has decided to continue with Low (& Bierhoff), but we might see a complete different German side in Qatar, with may be only Hummels & Kroos being only over 27 players from current WC squad.

 

[Kroll]

The curse continues

Team to win WC exits in the group stages the next edition

Italy (2010)

Spain (2014)

Germany (2018)

Good spot. But everyone would take winning the WC in one edition then exiting group stage the next. Germany never really got going here.

 

[Kroll]

The curse continues

Team to win WC exits in the group stages the next edition

Italy (2010)

Spain (2014)

Germany (2018)

Italy have regressed badly, not even here.

 

[ManFan]

Italy have regressed badly, not even here.

I don't watch soccer enough to know their past teams but yeah, they do suck as of now.

I support Croatia because my best friend is a diehard fan.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#56866; sorry ...</p>— Mats Hummels (@matshummels) <a href="https://twitter.com/matshummels/status/1012047218621190150?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Kroll]

Leaving out Sane (one of the world's best young players) proving to be a blunder? Leaving out Mario Gotze was also a surprise.

 

[Napa]

This definitely was not a "German" national team. You expect the players to run, run and run till their opponents are too tired to keep up with them.

Many of the players today seemed tired. Ozil's passes were good, but he seemed to play the game walking.

The German spirit seems to be gone.

 

[Napa]

I think, they made a blunder by not picking Sane, and this XI is a bit slow; but last time they won WC in South America without Reus, when he was probably better than what Sane is now.

Sane should have been selected . Offers something different.

Leaving out Sane (one of the world's best young players) proving to be a blunder? Leaving out Mario Gotze was also a surprise.

Before everyone starts criticizing Low for leaving out Sane, it is unlikely he would have made a difference. He has been on the national team for 12 games and scored 0 goals.

 

[MMHS]

Before everyone starts criticizing Low for leaving out Sane, it is unlikely he would have made a difference. He has been on the national team for 12 games and scored 0 goals.

And one assist only.

I know the stats, but he played most of his Internationals almost 2 years back as a kid, and mostly as substitute. In total, he has played less than 600 minutes in 12 games - that's just about a half/game. In last one year, he has been outstanding in Pep's system and he could have added exactly what was missing in this German team - pace & width. Even after a bumper season at MCity, his goal tally is 15 from 58 EPL games for a free scoring MCity side (broke all sorts of scoring record this year), therefore goal/game isn't the best KPI to look for Sane.

Also, if you have seen 3 German games, it's not that they were dominated, rather they had over 60% possession in every game (75% against Korea), but that possession was lot in mid-field; and because of lack of pace, teams kept a high line against them and narrowed the midfield where Germans were dominant. Muller, Gomez are tortoise like slow these days and basically a target man - in WCs, team don't allow that much space for these type of target men; you can see Giroud's goal scoring record in friendlies & tournaments/qualifier for French team. If Germany had someone with the pace & dribbling skills of Sane, he could have allowed German mid-field more space to push through balls for him & Reus.

If you ask me, I know exactly the reason, but can't prove - so don't catch me on this. His father is French (Senegalese) black, his mother is a pure German blood ...... and he is a cross ... Sane made a blunder by not opting for France.

 

[Pakistanian]

And one assist only.

I know the stats, but he played most of his Internationals almost 2 years back as a kid, and mostly as substitute. In total, he has played less than 600 minutes in 12 games - that's just about a half/game. In last one year, he has been outstanding in Pep's system and he could have added exactly what was missing in this German team - pace & width. Even after a bumper season at MCity, his goal tally is 15 from 58 EPL games for a free scoring MCity side (broke all sorts of scoring record this year), therefore goal/game isn't the best KPI to look for Sane.

Also, if you have seen 3 German games, it's not that they were dominated, rather they had over 60% possession in every game (75% against Korea), but that possession was lot in mid-field; and because of lack of pace, teams kept a high line against them and narrowed the midfield where Germans were dominant. Muller, Gomez are tortoise like slow these days and basically a target man - in WCs, team don't allow that much space for these type of target men; you can see Giroud's goal scoring record in friendlies & tournaments/qualifier for French team. If Germany had someone with the pace & dribbling skills of Sane, he could have allowed German mid-field more space to push through balls for him & Reus.

If you ask me, I know exactly the reason, but can't prove - so don't catch me on this. His father is French (Senegalese) black, his mother is a pure German blood ...... and he is a cross ... Sane made a blunder by not opting for France.

That theory makes no sense, how did Khadeira, Boateng, and Ozil make the team then?

 

[giri26]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Champions never lose, bro. They just take a break and come back stronger next time. But disappointed about Germany loss like all fans.Congrats to the Koreans for playing bravely! <a href="https://t.co/U8FEpm98iM">https://t.co/U8FEpm98iM</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1012006523722256384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Abdullah719]

 

[Mamoon]

An aging squad that should have been reshuffled a year ago, but the best coach at the world Low did not seem to have any vision for this team once his stalwarts retired/declined.

 

[MMHS]

That theory makes no sense, how did Khadeira, Boateng, and Ozil make the team then?

Kevin Kurani as well. They don’t have a French father. Sane will definitely make German team - he is too good for that, but missed this one by inch.

 

[Saj]

I was listening to a German football journalist on the radio and he was talking about several players being played out of position for the World Cup and how that was a major problem, espeically the full backs.

 

[Azzurri]

Most of them played in their preferred position but as mentioned above Germany was carrying way too many dead woods like Özil, Boateng, Khedira, Müller, Gomez etc and most importantly Kimmich should never be played as a RB. He never defends

 

[Saj]

Toni Kroos has retired from international football after Germany's exit from Euro 2020.

The Real Madrid midfielder, 31, made the announcement having played in Tuesday's 2-0 last-16 defeat to England at Wembley.

Kroos won the first of his 106 caps in 2010 and was part of the Germany side that lifted the 2014 World Cup.

"I have played 106 times for Germany. There will not be another time," Kroos wrote on Twitter.

"I had already made the decision to retire after this tournament for some time. It had been clear to me for a while that I will not be available for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar."

Kroos said he now wanted to "focus fully on my goals with Real Madrid for the next few years" as well as spending more time with his family.

 

[Bi_Jamalo]

Main problem is that they didn’t get rid of Jurgen Low after the last wc debacle. He has never been a very good manager and was unknown in Germany before he became their head coach.

Now Germans don’t ve enough time to properly rebuild for next years WC in Qatar.

 

[DHONI183]

Germany - What's happened to them?

Toni Kroos has retired from international football after Germany's exit from Euro 2020.

The Real Madrid midfielder, 31, made the announcement having played in Tuesday's 2-0 last-16 defeat to England at Wembley.

Kroos won the first of his 106 caps in 2010 and was part of the Germany side that lifted the 2014 World Cup.

"I have played 106 times for Germany. There will not be another time," Kroos wrote on Twitter.

"I had already made the decision to retire after this tournament for some time. It had been clear to me for a while that I will not be available for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar."

Kroos said he now wanted to "focus fully on my goals with Real Madrid for the next few years" as well as spending more time with his family.

I´ll never, never, forget Toni Kroos´ goal in the 90+5 minute against Sweden, through a world class free-kick, to keep Germany alive in the World Cup 2018. It was the sole highlight of Germany´s campaign in what was otherwise a disastrous tournament. Great memories, really great memories and one of my life´s most unforgettable football memories. It was the stuff of champions on Kroos´ part. He was a cool head who´ll be missed, but I respect his decision. Here´s wishing him all the best for his future.