Despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica, Germany was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup at the organizational level for the tournament’s consecutive momentum. The result against the Concacaf country on Thursday became irrelevant after Spain fell to Japan in the sideline. getting rid of Germany, which before 2018 had never failed in at least the knockout stages of a World Cup.
And as in 2018, the anticipated launch of the world’s highest tier was substantial. Germany, after all, did not lose because Spain could not get a result against Japan, but because Die Nationalmannschaft may not have a 1-0 advantage over Japan on matchday one (1-2) or turn a 1-0 into a victory. He faced Spain on matchday 2 despite most chances.
“The sadness is huge,” Bundestrainer Hansi Flick said when asked about Spain’s loss to Japan after the match. “I can’t blame Spain. I never look at other teams. “. “
Flick himself will have to answer tough questions after the World Cup. Presented to upgrade former boss Joachim Löw, the appointment of the 57-year-old was hopeful after Flick guided Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020.
Some of those messes were visual at this tournament, where Germany had the most productive xG differential of any country in the tournament. But serious mistakes in defense and the inability to differentiate primary opportunities (disorders dating back to 2018) ultimately meant Germany will now launch into a plan on Friday morning to return to Frankfurt.
Flick, in fact, was hired to put an end to the mistakes made by his predecessor Löw after 2017. Germany, as the dominant urgent team with a ton of possession, was perfected to be more artistic with the ball and generate more chances. Purpose while abandoning some of the tactical mistakes, basically the superior defensive line, to a more defensive one.
None of this has happened, and that is possibly due to some of the players who evolved in a country that once stood out for its forged No’s. 9 and overwhelming advocates. ” We want to get better at player development,” Flick said. We have been requesting new and forged sides for years. The defense has excelled in German football for years. We have to go back to basics. “
German players look discouraged after Germany failed to qualify for Group E of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. . . [ ] (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP Getty Images)
Basic elements that abandoned the last football revolution in Germany in the early 2000s. This revolution, of course, led to a World Cup in 2014, but has since led to an overproduction of technically gifted attacking midfielders. In central defense, only Antonio Rüdiger is close to world class; his partners Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck have the potential but, for some strange reason, have struggled since joining Dortmund.
As for the number 9, well, Germany had Niclas Füllkrug, and the Werder striker did the job scoring against Spain and Costa Rica. Here, Flick might be blaming him for not betting Füllkrug on each and every game from the start. .
And make no mistake, Flick is not without reproaches in this tournament. Not naming an intelligent right-back and not being a starter at Füllkrug are two problems. His dependence on Thomas Müller, who could retire after the tournament, is a problem. vital classes here; Whether Flick will be informed by them as coach of the national team is a doubt.
“We’re going to figure this out quickly, it’s hard to answer right now right after the game when we’re eliminated,” Flick said when asked if he would now step down. “We’ll see very soon. “
It’s hard to make those kinds of decisions after a tournament, but there’s no doubt that the replenishment wants to be done now. The DFB (German Football Association) wants a fundamental reform from the most sensible. Decision-makers like Oliver Bierhoff want to look in the mirror for a long time and wonder if it’s time for them to break up and make room for replacement. A replacement that will have to come because one thing is certain; The prestige quo is no longer acceptable.
Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing podcast and the US Regional Manager. UU. de Transfermarkt. He has also been in The Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth