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Shaky candidate in the German defense: Antonio Rüdiger has not played a minute at Chelsea this season
Source: AP / Martin Meissner
The German national team also provides more questions than answers in the game against Switzerland. Above all, the holey defense is the focus of criticism. The reactions to the second 3: 3 within six days.
DThree games, one win, two draws, seven goals conceded – after the 3: 3 (1: 2) in the Nations League against Switzerland, the German national team continues to raise many questions. Above all, the defensive with its often poor positional play and the many slight playback errors is causing concern with a view to the EM next summer.
Joachim Löw, whose team had already played 3: 3 in the test six days earlier, at least sticks to the “minimum goal” of the 2021 European Championship semi-finals. “When we go to the tournament, the goal is always to get as far as possible “, Said the 60-year-old, who has recently come under increasing pressure. The DFB selection has “real potential, if we correct a few things, we can look forward to it,” said the national coach, who saw “very, very good morale” against Switzerland. “The fact that we repeatedly equalized the backlog was certainly positive.”
That there were these residues again and again, certainly negative. Mario Gavranovic (5th and 57th minute) and Remo Freuler (26th) scored for Switzerland. Timo Werner shortened before the break (28th), then Kai Havertz (55th) and Serge Gnabry (60th) met.
“A spectacle of the special class, a German panic orchestra in defense”, summed up the Swiss “Blick” and came to a devastating conclusion: “Jogi Löw’s team is in a monumental creative crisis.”
Naturally, he sees it differently. The comebacks in the game would show “that the team really wants it,” said Löw. “And a couple of mistakes, yes, that’s part of the process sometimes. You can also come out stronger. “
“As a coach such a defensive headache would give me”
The question is how much longer this process will take, as time is running out. This is how Lothar Matthäus also sees it, who renewed his criticism of the national coach. “I said before the game that the team feels most comfortable with the back three. Jogi Löw wanted to try something new again. That has to be over now, “said the record international of the” Bild “:” As a coach, such a defensive headache would give me a headache if I wanted to play for the title next summer. “Löw had recently said that in response to Matthäus’ criticism he “basically” already appreciates his opinion.
Against Switzerland, he acted with a back four, which gave the opponent too many great opportunities and the resulting goals. “We weren’t always so well organized on the defensive,” admitted the coach, referring to the lack of routine of his players: “We don’t have very experienced players in our defense. Matze Ginter has been around for a long time, Tony Rüdiger not that long. Those are players who can defend well in a network. “
They will soon have to prove it. The next three international matches are scheduled for November.
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