Sad Germans at an all-time Loew

CRUCIFIED: COUNTRY’S PRESS SAVAGE NATIONAL TEAM

Loss to France tomorrow will make it six defeats in year.

Berlin

The German press turned on Joachim Loew after the hammering by the Netherlands left the future of Germany’s head coach in doubt with world champions France looming tomorrow.

“Not at the moment,” Loew replied in the post-match press conference when asked if he can still decide his future following the 3-0 drubbing – Germany’s heaviest defeat to the Dutch.

Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk gave the hosts a first-half lead before late goals by Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum capped a golden night for the Oranje in Amsterdam.

“That was a brutal and disappointing defeat, especially as we had the game under control in the first 30 minutes,” said Loew.

It could have been 4-0 as Depay also hit the crossbar in the dying stages as the German defence collapsed in the last 10 minutes.

If Loew’s side loses to world champions France in Paris tomorrow, it will mean a record sixth defeat for Germany in a calendar year.

After the World Cup debacle, when Germany crashed out after finishing bottom of their group, the Germans are bottom of their Nations League pool.

The Germans must win their last two games, against the French tomorrow and Dutch in Gelsenkirchen on November 19, or risk relegation.

Back home, Germany’s main newspapers were brutal.

“Bottom marks for Loew! Irritation after questions over his future as a national coach,” was the verdict of Germany’s top-selling daily Bild.

Football magazine Kicker pointed out that despite Loew’s promises of a fresh start, little has changed.

“New start? Loew’s team are continuing the World Cup story.

“After the 3-0 debacle, the German team is fighting relegation. This is not a snapshot, but the logical consequence after a series of mistakes.

“It raises – again – the question of the future of Joachim Loew.”

Despite Loew’s continued trust in senior players, the Bayern Munich axis of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller again struggled.

Hummels blamed the forwards as Timo Werner, debutant Mark Uth, Mueller and his second-half replacement Leroy Sane wasted chances. –

Picture: AFP ANOTHER NAIL. Dutch forward Memphis Depay celebrates after his goal during the Uefa Nations League match against Germany in Amsterdam on Saturday night.