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Her traces have disappeared: Will the German national team recover against Spain? | Israel today

2022-11-27T06:50:46.128Z


Most of Germany's recent losses in major tournaments have a common denominator - in all of them they were superior • Tonight against Luis Enrique and his players, they must find their familiar character again


When Gary Lineker, the former England player and gifted commentator these days, coined the iconic saying "Football is a simple game, it's 22 men running after a ball and in the end Germany wins", there was depth and intention behind those things.

Organized and efficient, the Germans have earned this analysis because throughout history they have been able to stop magnificent football teams playing great football.

They were the ones who inflicted the great Hungary of 1954 with their first loss after consecutive victories, after beating them 2:3 in the final, and they were the ones who prevented Holland's Total Football and Johan Cruyff from lifting the cup in the 1974 final.

Later in history, the German team would strengthen its position as such with similar victories over talented teams, but recently something happened.

The German national team changed its skin.

The 2:1 loss to Japan in the opening of the World Cup in Qatar was in total its fourth in the world cups since winning the title in 2014.

In all of them she was better than her opponent on the statistics papers.

Controlled the ball more, kicked more to the goal, kicked more to the frame, picked up more corners.

Despite this, they have won only one game since then (against Sweden, thanks to a Toni Kroos free kick in the 95th minute) and lost three.

If you add Euro 2020, in which it was eliminated in the round of 16, you find that out of its last eight games in major tournaments - Euro or World Cup - Germany won only two even though it was superior to its opponents in almost every game.

From one that was clear to win when the clock closed 90 minutes - Germany became one that was more likely to lose.

Flick and his players in training.

Peak vigilance, photo: E.P.I

The head is busy finding solutions

Tonight, against Spain, Germany cannot afford to lose anymore.

Following the results of the first round, in which the Spaniards defeated Costa Rica 7:0, Hanzi Flick's team is aware that another loss will almost certainly leave them out of the World Cup already in the group stage for the second time in a row.

"We no longer have room for error," the coach said at the press conference last night, "we need to work on certain things and improve them. We will have to show character in order to stay in the home picture."

Beyond character, Germany must find offensive solutions.

Against Japan, she led most of the game from a penalty by Ilkay Gundoan, but later missed an opportunity to close the story when Jamal Musiale, Kai Habertz and Serge Gnabry missed in front of the goal.

"We mustn't lose so many opportunities," admitted Flick, "it's disappointing and discouraging."

Mueller against Japan.

The Mannschaft needs leaders, photo: Reuters

The 19-year-old Musiale was visibly excited in the first half, Habertz couldn't quite find his place, and later on, the young Yusuf Mokoko and Niklas Polkrug made their debuts.

There is no doubt that there is talent in Germany's attack, but the lack of experience was at their disadvantage against Japan.

According to the Germans' training yesterday at the Al Shabal Stadium, the atmosphere is still good and the self-confidence is high.

Smiles were scattered everywhere and it was hard to see any panic - especially from the relaxed Felix.

However, it is quite clear that the German coach is busy thinking and finding solutions for the tense meeting against the Spaniards, and according to the reports, the main change will be offensive.

Kai Hubertz may drop to the bench and his place will be taken by Polkrug from Werder Bremen.

The 29-year-old striker, who made his debut in the national team just this month, is supposed to be the one to live the old saying.

His role in the force will be to make sure that the German team wins at the end of the 90 minutes, otherwise it will probably be the end.

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Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2022-11-27

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