Analysis
7-1 win against Latvia
There is a knowledge for the attack and Kimmich threatens the transfer
“A good basic feeling”: The German team were in a goal mood against Latvia
© Thilo Schmülgen / Getty Images
In the game against Latvia, the German team finally used their chances to score. But the real findings are: Havertz forced himself into the attack. And Kimmich will be repurposed as a full-back.
Many shooting festivals have to be canceled this year because of the pandemic – but not the one in the Düsseldorf arena. There was shooting to their hearts’ content on Monday evening, and 1,000 people were allowed to watch from the stands. The German national team won 7-1 against Latvia. It was the last test match before the European Championship, which begins next Tuesday for the team of national coach Joachim Löw with the game against world champions France.
Löw was quite happy with the performance of his team after the game. “Today we implemented a lot of things that we had discussed in training over the last few days,” said Löw, but at the same time limited: “France will be an opponent of a completely different caliber. We mustn’t fool ourselves. “
Latvia not a real opponent
Indeed, Latvia, number 138 in the world rankings, was a poor sparring partner. But the game was not about simulating the real thing against France, but about coordinating the various parts of the team. Antonio Rüdiger, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, all Champions League winners with FC Chelsea, came on after they had joined the team late. Likewise, Ilkay Gündogan from the English champions Manchester City.
Rüdiger, Havertz and Gündogan fit seamlessly into the game. Havertz in particular stood out for its versatility. He was to be found on both offensive tracks, staged his teammates and looked for a degree himself. Gündogan played alongside Toni Kroos in front of the defense and was in much better shape than his neighbor.
The fact that Havertz is in such impressive condition will force Löw to make tough personnel decisions. Because there are at least three strong candidates in the storm for the left wing alone: Leroy Sané, Timo Werner and Havertz.
Kimmich’s position for the EM remains an open question
Who Löw will line up against France, he did not reveal in detail on Monday evening. Just this: “A large part of the team that you saw today will also start against France.”
One open question is where Joshua Kimmich will play during the European Championship. Kimmich, a top performer at FC Bayern, is blessed with so many talents that he can play almost any position – except as a goalkeeper. Against Latvia, he left a regular position in the central defensive midfield and moved to the right-back position. “Jo Kimmich didn’t need any start-up time,” said Löw, praising him, “on the right he had a lot of good actions.”
Löw also learns from the Latvia game that his team’s offensive game has improved significantly. The exploitation of chances – still a weak point against Denmark on Wednesday last week – was now high. Almost every shot was a hit against the weak Latvians.
Emotional world of the DFB-Elf is fine
Löw was less satisfied with the voltage drop in the second half. Manuel Neuer scored an “unnecessary goal” in his 100th international match, as Löw criticized: “We weren’t attentive enough and were punished for it. The goal came after a standard situation. We have to defend something like that better.”
One almost got the impression that Löw was also a little happy about the Latvian goal – because he still has something to work and tweak in training in the remaining days. “Now the work really starts all over again,” said Löw cheerfully on Monday evening.
Despite the goal, the team took “a good basic feeling” from the Latvia game, as Robin Goosens, scorer of the 1-0, said. Thomas Müller also agreed: “It felt good on the pitch today.”
The emotional world of the DFB-Elf is fine. How stable it is, however, will only become apparent during the European Championship. After world champions France, European champions Portugal are waiting for the national team. Shooting festivals certainly won’t. At least not for the Germans.
