They lost on Tuesday German national team against Austria – staggers towards the home European Championship after the second defeat in a few days
The 0:2 in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium was one of the most lifeless performances by a DFB team in a long time: no fire, no energy, no rebellion after the already weak Turkey game (2:3 defeat).
Dietmar Hamann (50) spoke about the bankruptcy on the “Sky” channel – and the former national player (59 international matches) found his usual clear words. Especially against national coach Julian Nagelsmann (36).
On Saturday, the German team suffered a defeat against Turkey in Berlin, and three days later they suffered a defeat against Austria.
Hamann criticized the DFB team’s performance in both games: “It was really disappointing, especially after seeing a small improvement against the USA and Mexico. Hopes for stability were quickly dashed.”
What needs to change now with the national team? Hamann has some ideas.
The Sky expert explains: “When I look at Tuesday’s lineup, it doesn’t surprise me that we had no defensive stability or control of the game. Even worse was the reaction of the coach (Nagelsmann; editor’s note) after the game that we won’t be defensive monsters next year either. When I set up a team, all facets have to be covered, especially the defensive midfield position. Then you can build the team around the defense, not the attack.”
Is Nagelsmann the right man for the position? Hamann: “We’ll see. The problem is that with the international matches in March you have a situation that is comparable to the Japan and France games under Hansi Flick. Julian Nagelsmann has six or seven games until the European Championships, but he probably knows less after the first games than he knew before the games. So the games were wasted. It’s nice to try, but you have to have stability first.”
Hamann continues about…
… Ilkay Gündogan:
“I think a big point of discussion could be Ilkay Gündogan’s position. I didn’t understand why he was made captain because as captain he obviously always has to play.”
… the importance of Manuel Neuer:
“Basically the door is open to everyone. But Manuel Neuer will be a big and important player in the spring, as long as he stays healthy.”
… the need for leading players in the DFB team:
“We don’t need players who march, but who intervene. At the moment we are trying to play the football that Spain played 15 years ago as a miracle team, only with the difference that we are not half as good.”
… Florian Wirtz as a possible replacement for Musiala:
“He is a player who has an incredibly good overview, is technically perfect and radiates joy and genius 25 meters in front of the goal. That’s why Bayern has to try to get him. We’ll see whether both Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz can play in one team. I can imagine that more with the DFB.”
Ripe is live from November 23rd. Is Savior Rudi coming now?