Ein football game is full of choices. The players have to make a permanent commitment. To the front or to the back? Left or right? head or foot? walk or stand? Fast or slow? Play the ball or not? If you make too many wrong decisions, you risk losing the game. The more right decisions you make, the more likely you are to end up a winner. And if you can’t really make up your mind, you usually end up playing – a draw. The German national team now knows this game: The 1-1 draw in Hungary was the fourth draw with this result in a row.
1-1 in the Netherlands, 1-1 in Italy, 1-1 v England and now also 1-1 on Saturday night at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. Zsolt Nagy’s early lead in the sixth minute was equalized by Germany’s Jonas Hofmann just 180 seconds later. With three points from three games, Hansi Flick’s selection is third after half of the Nations League games. This is followed by the second duel with Italy in Mönchengladbach this Tuesday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on ZDF), in September it’s off to England, followed by Hungary in the second leg.
The way the Germans played, they also spoke afterwards. “We didn’t do what we set out to do,” said the national coach at the press conference. “In the end, I still see the whole thing as positive. We didn’t lose a game.” Nico Schlotterback only found positive words on RTL: “I think it was a decent performance from all of us.” But: “We didn’t have such a good impact.” And captain Manuel Neuer? “Of course we’re disappointed because we expected more,” he said. On the other hand: “I don’t want to speak of a happy draw.” One way or another, the direction is not recognizable.
“It was a step backwards for us”
The national team goes in circles. There is a risk of losing orientation. The goal is clearly formulated. The Germans want to win the title at the World Cup in Qatar in November and December. But on the way, the selection of the German Football Association (DFB) threatens to get lost. “I told the team that it wouldn’t be easy, and that there were also setbacks,” said Flick. “In terms of the result and the way we approached the game, it was a step backwards for us.” It is obvious “that we completely lack conviction in the team”. That’s not a good guide before a World Cup.
After the next three Nations League games, there is a test match shortly before the tournament, then Japan, Spain and the winner of the play-off duel between Costa Rica and New Zealand in the World Cup preliminary round group are already waiting. Three draws there don’t sound very promising on the way to the big, maybe too big goal. Because the evening in Budapest revealed that there are actually problems in every part of the team, except for the smallest one. Goalkeeper Neuer was once again in top form, for example when he defended Attila Fiola’s sharp shot with a good foot (44′).
Neuer is part of the axis that Flick relies on. But in Hungary, the national coach caused a break himself. Antonio Rüdiger, the head of defence, sat in the stands to relax, Thomas Müller, the free spirit of the offensive, on the bench; he was later substituted on. The fourth part of the axis, Joshua Kimmich, played from the start. Otherwise, Flick happily mixed his formation again. On the one hand, that was understandable. After a long season, the lack of energy can be clearly felt everywhere. The burden has to be shared. On the other hand, a good five months before the opening of the World Cup, there is no clear picture of Germany in this way.
Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle, the new duo from Borussia Dortmund, started in defense. One should have to give way to the World Cup Rüdiger. But who? Jonathan Tah is only considered a backup. David Raum defended on the left, Thilo Kehrer on the right. The alternatives are Benjamin Henrichs and Lukas Klostermann – or Jonas Hofmann. He is currently showing his offensive qualities in midfield. The goal against England was followed by that in Hungary. In the current form, the Borussia Mönchengladbach player is an integral part of the starting eleven. But in which position? And who would have to go out for that? There are significantly more questions than answers.
The midfield is considered a strong part of the German team because the national coach has a large selection. Kimmich and Leon Goretzka started defensively in Budapest. Ilkay Gundogan came later. Before that, things get a little more confusing. Hofmann, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz started on Saturday. Later, Müller, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi came on. Serge Gnabry was only in the stands with an injury, Leroy Sané was on the bench for 90 minutes. Marco Reus was missing completely injured. Up front, Timo Werner was once again unlucky. Lukas Nmecha made an appearance in the final minutes.
An unfinished picture emerges. The last chance to sharpen the contours before the summer break is offered by the second duel with Italy. “Now we have to step it up a notch, two or three. We’ll try to tease that out of the team,” said Flick. Neuer spoke of wanting to “ignite a rocket”. How that should work remains a mystery after the impressions from Saturday. But time is pressing. On the way to Qatar, the Germans have to leave their cycle if they want to get close to the destination they have chosen. Another draw wouldn’t help that much.
