For example, if Sydney Lohmann’s header to equalize or Alexandra Popp’s to take the lead had landed in the goal, it would be a different story. Even then, not everything would have been good, but there would probably have been this feeling of a liberation, at least a little liberation. The vocabulary that was used instead should actually stay tucked away in the back corner for quite a while. But as if the German national players hadn’t completely unpacked their bags after returning from Australia, their emotions at the beginning of autumn were similar to those of the summer. And as we know, it didn’t go as planned at all.
“It’s just frustrating that despite the effort and the will, we somehow don’t manage to score goals and points,” said goalkeeper Merle Frohms after the 2-0 defeat against Denmark. Felicitas Rauch said that a lot had been planned and the result was incredibly bitter. “This hurts extremely, especially because it could have been prevented,” said Popp on ARD. More lightness, more passion, more aggressiveness, more intensity – that’s how the national team wanted to show themselves in their first appearance since the World Cup. The restart as part of the Nations League should mark a departure. Instead, the disappointment and disillusionment with which the Germans historically said goodbye to a sporting crisis early after the World Cup group phase continues.
After the first of six matchdays, the German Football Association (DFB) selection now occupies last place in Group 3 of League A. Denmark is top of the table ahead of Iceland, which won 1-0 against Wales with a header from Bayern Munich’s Glódís Viggósdóttir. The Icelanders are the Germans’ next opponents on Tuesday in Bochum (6.15 p.m., ZDF). Only the group winner will advance to the final round and can qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris; only two European tickets will be awarded in this newly created competition. The competition is extremely strong, especially given the current situation, and the national players themselves know that very well. Captain Popp wrote on social media: “We have to pull ourselves together, we are aware of that.”
“We always have to give up responsibility,” criticizes deputy national coach Carlson
A clear cut to the messed up World Cup would probably be helpful, but that is pending because the analysis cannot be completed. Before the game there was talk of a short review related to Denmark. One conclusion from this was not to fixate so much on striker Popp because that had gone wrong against South Korea at the World Cup. According to the DFB, the comprehensive consideration and evaluation can only take place with national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. But she is missing sick. Maybe the 55-year-old, who has been in charge since 2019, was watching the TV on Friday evening, or maybe she is feeling too bad – we can only speculate about that because hardly anything is known about her state of health. She was said to be mentally and physically exhausted. And so it remains unclear when and whether Voss-Tecklenburg will return to this post.
Until this question is clarified, assistant coach Britta Carlson took over and was the one who had to find explanations for the fourth defeat in the ninth game this year. “You could still feel the burden of the team a little bit,” she said, referring to the burden of the World Cup. “The necessary security is just missing and you can tell.” Too many mistakes characterized the game of the Germans, who were unable to consistently implement their plan – defensively compact, switching quickly. There was a lack of speed and clear ideas going forward. “We still didn’t shoot enough. We always have to give up responsibility, another cross pass,” criticized the 45-year-old, who missed “that self-confidence to think boldly forward.”
Britta Carlson, 45, has temporarily taken over responsibility for the national team, but says about the national coach question: “I would like to see clarity for everyone.”
(Photo: Memmler/Eibner/Imago)
Amalie Vangsgaard’s 1-0 was cleverly initiated in the 23rd minute with a long diagonal ball. Then there she was again, the old friend: Hello insecurity! What little lightness that might have been built up disappeared into the heavens of Viborg and could not be recaptured after the break despite increased offensive power. After a bad pass from Giulia Gwinn and a misunderstanding between Marina Hegering and Frohms, Vangsgaard (64th minute) increased the score to 2-0 for the well-organized Danes. “This defeat means: our backs are against the wall,” said Hegering.
In the already unusual and critical situation, the tension is now even greater. A success against Iceland is urgently needed in order not to directly jeopardize participation in the Olympics – which we recently missed in Tokyo. But even a win is unlikely to relieve the pressure so easily, because the unresolved question of the national coach hovers over everything.
Carlson has already stated that she would not be considered as a potential successor if necessary – and acknowledged that there is some unrest. “The topic of conversation is clear,” said the 45-year-old, adding that the situation was difficult. “I would like to see clarity for everyone. Whether it’s for the coaching team, for the team. Because I just want us, Germany, to become as strong as we were before.” In the mixed situation, rumors arose about disagreements and a vote of no confidence in the national coach. So far, nothing has come out directly from the team itself. It is known that many discussions have taken place at and between different levels. When Alexandra Popp was asked specifically whether the national team wanted to continue with Voss-Tecklenburg, she said: “We hope that Martina will get well again. Everything else will be decided by the association anyway and not us.”