France deal Germany fresh blow
Loss to the world champions after Dutch setback increases pressure on coach Joachim Loew
PARIS: A defiant Joachim Loew praised Germany’s display in Tuesday’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat by world champions France as he lamented “a totally unjust penalty” awarded to the hosts.
Antoine Griezmann hit a pair of second-half goals, including the winner from the spot, as France recovered from falling behind to a Toni Kroos penalty to inflict a sixth defeat on Germany in their past 10 matches.
The result eliminated Germany from Nations League title contention, and left them needing to beat the Netherlands in their final group match on November 19 if they are to avoid relegation from the top tier.
However, Loew insisted he was “very pleased” with the performance as Germany were much improved compared to the team that lost 3-0 against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
“I’m disappointed with the result, although though I must say the defeat is different to Saturday’s,” said Loew.
“Not because of the result but because of the performance. I’m very pleased with the performance. I think we were on an even level with what is probably the best team in the world. But France has a lot of individual quality, and if you’re not careful you’ll get punished straight away.”
A first defeat to the neighbouring Dutch in 16 years prompted Loew to make five changes for the trip to Paris, as he injected additional pace into the attack with the inclusions of Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry. The Germans deservedly led through a Kroos penalty after a sliding Presnel Kimpembe handled a Sane cross, but Loew’s youthful frontline was unable to capitalise on further opportunities. “The negative point is the converting of our chances. We were unable to put the ball in the goal,” said Loew.
“I think we deserved to win because we were the best team but that’s not how things work. We lacked a bit of intelligence and sangfroid. If we’d been able to score a second we could have played in a calmer manner and won the match.” Tuesday’s loss to the world champions follows a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the Netherlands just two days ago signalling a record sixth defeat for the German national team in a calendar year.
After being dumped out of the World Cup in Russia, finishing bottom of the group following defeats to Mexico and South Korea, they will be relegated from the top-tier of the newly constituted Nations League if they lose to the Dutch in the final group match on November 19. Although Loew made five changes to the team from their loss to the Dutch, his dependency on the likes of defender Mats
Hummels and a 32-year-old Manuel Neuer, who is no longer the world-class goalkeeper he was after twice fracturing his foot in 2017, often leaves gaps.
While the penalty awarded against Germany may have looked contentious, it was Hummels who was guilty of committing the infraction. The likes of Marc-andre ter Stegen are knocking on Neuer’s door in goal but Loew lacks the bravery to replace the old guard. Only eleven goals in the last thirteen games speak for itself. Germany, a side that outscored opponents with ease, are no longer a force to be feared in their opponents' penalty area. Loew brought in the likes of Leroy Sane and Serge Gnarby to inject pace into Germany’s attack but the duo alongside striker Timo Werner were unable to capitalise and finish off their opportunities in front of goal. Veteran Thomas Mueller, who came on for a cameo, seems to have lost his finishing touch. "The negative point is the converting of our chances. We were unable to put the ball in the goal.”
Joachim Loew,
Germany manager Their loss to France was the first time Germany have lost two consecutive competitive matches since 2000. Back then, to Germany’s rescue, came a generation boasting the likes of Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and younger and highly efficient versions of
Mueller and Toni Kroos.
But Die Mannschaft’s next gen — Sane, Julian Draxler, Julian Brandt and especially Kimmich have talent, but have failed to step up in the face of sturdy challenges. This generation also lacks a stand-out star like Kylian Mbappe, who helped France win the World Cup.