Lacklustre Germans in media’s crosshairs
UNDER PRESSURE: SWEDEN, SOUTH KOREA WON’T BE EASY
Germany woke to gloomy headlines of “chaos” and “humiliation” yesterday after the defending World Cup champions fell 1-0 to Mexico in a shock opening defeat in Russia.
Long used to the dominance of their national team, Germans are digesting their team’s first defeat in a World Cup opening match in 36 years.
“Defensive chaos at the world champions,” splashed the country’s best-selling newspaper Bild. “Now it is about survival at the World Cup.”
Berlin’s Morgenpost wrote, “Germany have lost their way.”
The Germans, champions in Brazil four years ago, were one of the pre-tournament favourites but the defeat means there will be no room for error when they face Sweden and South Korea in their remaining Group F games.
The four-time winners have reached at least the semifinals at every World Cup since 2002.
“(Joachim) Loew does not want to change his plan,” wrote the
Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper. “Now Germany is under pressure.”
The coach is in the crosshairs after sticking with a lacklustre Mesut Oezil instead of speedy inform winger Marco Reus, and setting his team up in such a way that allowed the Mexicans to launch countless counter-attacks.
Loew, who recently signed a contract extension to 2022, also raised eyebrows a few weeks ago when he did not include Leroy Sane, the English Premier League’s young Player-of-the-Year, in his final World Cup squad.
“Past good practices don’t work anymore,” wrote the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. “He cannot go on as he has done in the last 12 years.”
The Germans next play Sweden on Saturday before facing South Korea in their final group game four days later.