DFB victory in Northern Ireland: What Löw has been spared

In the 48th minute of the match in the Belfast Windsor Park Marcel Halstenberg has ended the discussion about national coach Joachim Loew.

A discussion that had received new food since the lost game against the Netherlands on Friday. A discussion that seemed inevitable after this first half against the Northern Irish.

But then came Halstenberg, hit volley into the far corner, paved with the lead the way to the laborious 2-0 success of the German national team. And the coaching debate is adjourned.

Havertz had at least 22 minutes

The national coach himself had his critics with the lineup, in which he ordered the demanded by many Kai Havertz not in the starting eleven, a supposed submission delivered. Without Havertz gave the team in the first 45 minutes, a partially terrifying performance. But without Havertz she worked herself out of the lows after the change. The young Leverkusen midfielder then came after 68 minutes, did not tear any trees, but prepared the 2-0 by Serge Gnabry in added time.

#NIRGER pic.twitter.com/PmAgROxIe0

That was an "intense and difficult game", Loew later realized, and everyone had probably seen it as he did. The Northern Irishmen with their inspired primitive football had thrown the DFB team in the initial phase from one embarrassment to the next. The German team seemed surprised by the force of the opponent, without having a counter-recipe. Except maybe that: Manuel Neuer will save us even from the backlog. The Bayern goalkeeper did that as well.

photo gallery

15 pictures

One had to "bring in", Löw called the most important task for the next few months. With the result of Belfast in the back, he can devote himself to this task at least with more peace. The idea of ​​tackling the friendly with Lionel Messi in October against the Argentines with a further defeat in their luggage would have made working much harder. And of course the fact that the European Championship qualification would be in serious danger.

So the participation in the pan-European tournament next summer is not yet secured, but one has approached the EM clearly.

Germany is with twelve counters after five games at number one in the European Championship qualifying Group C - tied with Northern Ireland and three counters before Holland. The Dutch won 4-0 in Estonia at the same time, but lost one game less and won the direct comparison with the DFB team. The top two of the group qualify directly for the European Championship.

However, the problems of the German team have not disappeared. And Löw can be sure that he will be targeted again in the next defeat.

A game as a mirror of the current level of performance

In the second half against Northern Ireland looked with the import also much better, at least the first 15 minutes after the change were clearly dominated by the DFB-Elf. That was what the team had already planned for the first half. With a quick goal to dampen not only the commitment of the Northern Irish, but also the impressive atmosphere in the Windsor Park.

However, as the hosts themselves had a very good opportunity to equalize after the German phase of the threat, the DFB dominance then collapsed again. And Loew will be clear: A good 15 minutes are probably not enough against Northern Ireland, against France, the Netherlands, England or Italy.

"The way to the top of the world is not an easy task" said Löw after the match, "as simple as many think it is not." The game against the Northern Irish showed the weaknesses of the team, but also flashed the qualities. In this respect, the duel in Belfast was a reflection of the current level of performance. Good moments yes, Konstanz no.

With Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sané, Nico Schulz, Ilkay Gundogan and Antonio Rüdiger the national coach also five players were missing on Monday, at least all of which are eligible for a starting eleven. The cornucopia in German football is no longer so endlessly overcrowded that a national team takes personal failures only shrugs. This is not an excuse, it should only be mentioned once.

In the next two months, after qualifying against Argentina (9 October), Estonia (13 October) and Belarus (16 November), it will be necessary to collect the necessary points to qualify for the qualification before the return match against Northern Ireland (19 May). November).

Löw said, "It took Holland three years to get back on top." And incidentally missed two tournaments during this time. That does not want to undermine the national coach.

Northern Ireland - Germany 0: 2 (0: 0)
0: 1 Halstenberg (48.)
0: 2 Gnabry (90. + 2)
Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell - Dallas, Cathcart, Jonny Evans, Lewis - McNair, Davis, Saville (70+ Magennis) - Corry Evans, Washington (83+ Lavery), McGinn (59+ Whyte)
Germany: New - Klostermann, Ginter (from 40th Tah), Sule, Halstenberg - Kimmich, Kroos - Reus (from 85th Can) - Werner (from 68th Havertz), Gnabry, Brandt
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Viewers: 18.104 (sold out)
Yellow Cards: McNair, Saville - Gnabry