Germany

MANY GERMANY F ANS FEAR THAT THEY’LL GO DOWN IN FLAMES AGAIN

If one man was grateful for Euro 2020 being delayed by a year, it was Joachim Löw. As Germany trudged glumly towards the tournament last summer, before COVID- 19 intervened, there were serious concerns about a harrowing repeat of their 2018 World Cup display.

Despite having access to a reliable production line of talent, Die Mannschaft spent too much of their post- Russia rebuild spluttering. That’s partly because the German FA left themselves no other choice, having awarded Löw a juicy new contract before that World Cup, but also because of their long- serving manager’s insistence in his ability to still do the job.

Other than a defeat to the Netherlands, Germany’s 2019 was largely a step in the right direction on the field. Off it, Löw’s bold move to retire three stalwarts in Thomas Muller ( 29 years old at the time), Mats Hummels ( 30) and Jerome Boateng ( also 30), all with immediate effect, was accompanied by the resignation of embattled FA president Reinhard Grindel, as drama became the norm. The delay of the Euros seemed to give them time to take stock, but Löw spent most of 2020 persisting with a back three, adamant that Germany needed to be tactically flexible against top teams. His side, meanwhile, kept drawing and conceding easy goals.

Then came the nadir, as their year finished with an emphatic hammering by Spain. That shocking 6- 0 defeat was Germany’s worst since 1931, and led to questions being asked of Löw’s future. “Now Jogi is wobbling!” squealed the headline in tabloid Bild, who pondered alternative candidates seven months out from the finals.

As Euro 2020 drew ever nearer, the DFB announced that Löw will step down after the tournament, amid all the destablising speculation about his future. Weeks later, though, they lost to North Macedonia in World Cup qualifying, and big questions remain. Will Löw recall Muller, or his other exiles? Will he go for three at the back, or opt for a four? Will Germany make the most of this summer’s competition?

That’s the biggest question of all. They’re less likely than ever to challenge for the trophy, but this team can still take a step forward in its development. That is the optimistic view at home, anyway. Plenty more fear Germany will go down in flames for the second tournament in a row.

LESSON FROM QUALIFYING

Formations probably have as much of an effect on the game as Germany’s qualifying campaign will have on the final tournament, but they did look more settled with a back four. They also need to remember not to panic when leading.

STRENGTHS

Germany’s midfield is so strong that Löw will have trouble figuring out who to pick. In Toni Kroos, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan, Kai Havertz and Florian Neuhaus, they have got an embarrassment of riches.

WEAKNESSES

They are vulnerable in defence, lacking in creativity from full- back ( or wing- back) and prone to a late wobble. The 2- 1 home defeat to North Macedonia in March only emphasised all three issues, while further hammering Germany’s confidence. The concern is real – hence those calls for both Hummels and Boateng to return.

MOST LIKELY TO...

Be mentioned in the same breath as Jurgen Klopp. His agent has previously admitted future interest in the role – so, after Liverpool’s grim season, that must mean... right? Likelier still: 2+ 2 = nein.

LEAST LIKELY TO...

Be embroiled in off- field controversies. Germany’s last major tournament involved meet- and- greets with Turkish dictators, Mesut Özil’s retirement amid race rows, uncharacteristically terrible performances and subsequent calls for the manager’s head. This time, Löw will crave an easy ride into the sunset.

WHAT THEY HOPE WILL HAPPEN

Löw rediscovers his mojo and his plan to make the team tactically flexible pays off. The new generation clicks and Germany surge through to the semi- finals or final – although they won’t want to peak too soon, with Euro 2024 being on home soil...

WHAT WILL HAPPEN

Germany will struggle to make it out of a tough group, even as one of the best third- placed teams. And, if they do, expectations back home are so stunted that few fans would be confident of getting beyond the first knockout round.