How Germans lost the plot in disastrous tournament in Russia
ENGLAND fans will have allowed themselves a satisfied smile as Germany made a shock World Cup exit. Some of those celebrations will not be so quiet.
Opportunities to laugh at German football’s expense are rare. Such triumphalism should be accompanied with a warning. Remember what happened the last time a German team were eliminated in the group stages of a major tournament?
It was Euro 2000. A restructure by the German Football Federation brought the World Cup 14 years later, as well as a few final and semifinal appearances in-between.
What has been clear over the course of three poor performances is that another rebuild of the German team is needed.
Tactically, I have never seen a side with so many experienced and proven players look so exposed.
There are three major differences between the side who won in Brazil in 2014 and this one: Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Four years ago, Germany were able to dominate with their quality because they possessed an energy woefully lacking now.
Klose guaranteed dominance in possession was turned into goals, Schweinsteiger – at his peak – could sit in front of the defence and shut off counter-attacks. Captain Lahm’s leadership, organisation and pace from fullback ensured few teams were able to punish Germany.
The Germans played the same system
Mats Hummels has a great reputation and is a World Cup winner, but I have always felt he looked better with the ball than without it. Jerome Boateng is a defender.
I have always felt has a mistake in him. Individually, they were poor, and as a partnership against Mexico were a disaster.
The warnings were there in that first game when the duo had no protection, but continued with a new centre-half partnership against Sweden until the full emergency was realised with yet another defensive pairing against South Korea.
The approach was football suicide. Germany went into each game believing they could impose themselves as superior players, but they were so open their quality never showed.
This is not an ageing team playing one tournament too many. Since winning the World Cup, Germany have been Euro 2016 semifinalists and Confederations Cup winners. They have some outstanding young players emerging, but those so influential in winning the tournament four years ago are only in their late-20s.
What should have been the ideal blend of World Cup winning wisdom and youthful vibrancy failed to materialise. Sometimes it simply does not gel.
From an England perspective, Germany’s demise is undoubtedly good news. The loss of a favourite – a historic nemesis – can only swell confidence in Gareth Southgate’s dressing-room. —