Defenseless, harmless, lifeless – the German national soccer team is stumbling into the European Championship year without any hint of optimism.
After the oath of disclosure, the Austrian fans’ scorn and ridicule echoed in the ears of the players, and national coach Julian Nagelsmann was also stunned.
After the 0-2 (0-1) disgrace in the prestigious game in Vienna, the German national team is tumbling into the European Championship year without any hint of optimism. “It couldn’t be any worse,” said captain Ilkay Gündogan on “ZDF”. Seven months before the start of the tournament, the hosts are in a shocking state.
“We must not fall into the role of victim now. We have to accept that there is an incredible amount of work in all positions. We cannot die beautifully in the games,” said Nagelsmann.
Leroy Sané sees red card after assault
Leroy Sané’s frustration over his sixth defeat of the year erupted when he attacked Phillipp Mwene – the Munich native saw the first red card of his professional career (49′). Only one of four games was won under Nagelsmann, which is the worst start by a national coach since Erich Ribbeck 24 years ago.
“It was all homemade. Leroy’s red card sums it all up. The frustration, the disappointment. We made it far too easy for the Austrians. We weren’t good enough,” said Gündogan.
Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer (29th) and Christoph Baumgartner from RB Leipzig (73rd) scored the goals for coach Ralf Rangnick’s team in the sold-out Ernst Happel Stadium with 46,000 spectators.
Kimmich on the bench – trio new
“We have to be really greedy,” demanded DFB sports director Rudi Völler. Nagelsmann admitted shortly before kick-off that they had “a bit of pressure to get results”. In order to withstand this, the national coach called up the oldest starting eleven in the DFB selection (29 years, 287 days) since the European Championship game against Romania 23 years ago.
Serge Gnabry (l., Germany) in a duel with David Alaba (Austria)
Photo credit: Getty Images
After conceding 20 goals in the last nine international matches, the DFB team finally wanted to be safe, but Antonio Rüdiger made a bad pass in the second minute. But the defense chief ironed it out again against Baumgartner.
Trapp prevents anything worse from happening
The four-time world champion tried to control the game, but there were again big gaps in defense. The German game was characterized by unrest. After a quick free kick from David Alaba, Michael Gregoritsch missed from a good position (12th). Five minutes later, the Freiburg player escaped from Rüdiger and Hummels after a long pass, but goalkeeper Kevin Trapp made a strong save.
The DFB team once again revealed major problems in the connection between defense and offense; the ball was quickly lost again and again due to many bad passes. “Clear balls,” Nagelsmann shouted loudly on the sidelines after almost 25 minutes and had a lively discussion with his assistant Sandro Wagner – it didn’t help at first.
Dortmund’s Sabitzer used his freedom to place a well-placed shot into the near corner, Jonathan Tah was far too hesitant. The stadium was transformed into a single sea of red-white-red flags.
And Germany? Three minutes after falling behind, Sané fired the first shot on goal. But not much was still happening. Gündogan and Goretzka couldn’t get the game under control in the center, striker Niclas Füllkrug wasn’t involved at all, and there was little going on the outside either. Völler shook his head in the stands next to DFB vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke and saw the Austrians’ next chance through Baumgartner (43′).
Worst performance under Nagelsmann
After the worst half under his direction, Nagelsmann immediately disappeared into the dressing room and Hummels had a lively discussion with Tah. “This is sobering football. There is no solution forward,” analyzed “ZDF” expert Per Mertesacker after 45 minutes.
Nagelsmann reacted and brought on Thomas Müller for Füllkrug, who only had 16 touches of the ball. But the coach’s plans were quickly dashed. Sané hit Mwene in the face with both hands. Being outnumbered, the guests almost conceded the second goal from Stefan Posch (51st).
Nagelsmann substituted Benjamin Henrichs and moved Havertz forward into the Sané position, and after an hour Kimmich, Florian Wirtz and debutant Robert Andrich also came on. But there was still very little going on. Trapp parried against Gregoritsch (64th), but he was powerless against Baumgartner.
Kimmich (78th) and Wirtz (79th) caused some danger with long-range shots. In stoppage time, Kimmich saved on the line.
Spalletti relieved: “Now the real work begins”