LOEW’S MISERY CONTINUES
Germany coach under pressure after France seal comeback win
ANTOINE Griezmann hit a pair of second-half goals as world champions France came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday and cast further doubt on Joachim Loew’s future.
Toni Kroos struck a 14thminute penalty for Germany, but Griezmann engineered a rousing fightback in the first game between the nations at the Stade de France since the November 2015 friendly that was overshadowed by a series of terror attacks on the French capital.
Griezmann equalised with a magnificent glancing header from a Lucas Hernandez cross on the hour, and the Atletico Madrid striker won the game for France with a penalty 10 minutes from time.
France coach Didier Deschamps fielded an almost identical team to the one that started the World Cup final, Presnel Kimpembe the lone exception in place of the injured Samuel Umtiti.
Germany’s chastening 3-0 defeat by the Dutch on Saturday prompted Loew to make five changes, as he injected additional pace into the attack with the inclusions of Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry.
Kylian Mbappe’s electrifying speed was soon on display, but Hugo Lloris initially proved the far busier of the two goalkeepers as Germany sought to end a run of three competitive matches without a goal.
France’s win condemned Germany to an alarming sixth defeat in their last 10 outings, and rule Loew’s side out of Nations League title contention.
However, Loew insisted he was “very pleased” with his team’s performance.
“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.”
Griezmann admitted Germany’s revamped set-up had knocked France off track initially, but he said a series of “calm” exchanges at half-time allowed them to regain their rhythm.
“We played poorly in the first half. I think we were disrupted by them playing three at the back, so we had to calmly speak a bit in the dressing and change two or three things tactically,” Griezmann told French television.
“We became world champions by working for each other and that’s the only way you will win matches.”
France, who top the section on seven points, take on the Netherlands in their final game on Nov 16 in Rotterdam, while Germany must beat the Dutch in Gelsenkirchen next month if they are to avoid relegation.