"It's a little sad": World Cup expert Schweinsteiger misses German virtues

Created: 11/28/2022, 5:24 p.m

By: Christoph Klaucke

Bastian Schweinsteiger criticizes the mentality in the German national team.

This development also had a negative impact off the pitch.

Doha – Bastian Schweinsteiger knows how to become world champion.

The midfielder led the German national team to the World Cup title in 2014 with struggle and passion.

Unforgotten is his performance in the final against Argentina, when a bloody wound under his eye couldn't stop him.

Eight years later, Schweinsteiger is observing his successors in the DFB team at the 2022 World Cup as an ARD expert.

However, the former Bayern star doesn't feel that the "new generation", as Joshua Kimmich & Co call themselves, can follow in his footsteps.

Schweini misses the traditional German virtues that used to distinguish him.

World Cup expert Bastian Schweinsteiger criticizes the lack of passion in the DFB team

"I think they try to focus more on their football skills than maybe on their passion and on running and fighting and giving 120 percent," Schweinsteiger said of the younger players in the DFB team in an interview with Rio Ferdinand for the "Rio Ferdinand Presents Five" YouTube format.

The two former Manchester United players held the conversation right on the beach in Qatar.

The interview was published on Monday, one day after the German team's convincing performance against Spain.

The video does not show whether it was played before or after the German 1-1 draw.

Ferdinand published a selfie of himself and Schweinsteiger on Saturday, in which the World Cup expert did not come off well.

However, the Bayern legend wears a different top on it.

World Cup expert Bastian Schweinsteiger misses the German virtues.

© Frank Hoermann/Imago

World Cup 2022: devastating Schweinsteiger verdict – Germany no longer a tournament team

Schweinsteiger criticized that Germany had lost its status as a tournament team.

"I think the players today are different than the players five, six, seven years ago.

It's a bit sad because other countries have always looked up to Germany, how they could fight for 95 minutes and score in the last minute.” According to Schweinsteiger, this development also affects the spectators.

"I spoke to some German fans and they always say that the energy doesn't really jump over to them."

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Commenting on the performance of midfielder Joshua Kimmich, Schweinsteiger said the Bayern star was a "great player, but sometimes he leaves his position and then there is a gap." His favorite for the World Cup title is Brazil.

Two Schweinis, Ballack, Javi Martinez: These are the World Cup experts in Qatar

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World Cup 2022: Schweinsteiger rows back after the Spain game – Germany convinces with faith and struggle

After Germany's 1-1 draw against Spain, Schweinsteiger sounds a lot more confident and is assuming at least a place in the round of 16.

"It was a good performance that gives us hope for the next game and the further course of the tournament.

I'm in good spirits that we'll qualify," the 38-year-old told ARD on Monday.

You have to "praise" the DFB-Elf for how they fought their way back into the game and "believed in it after the 0:1".

Schweinsteiger singled out Leon Goretzka, Antonio Rüdiger and Jamal Musiala, who he said played "very well".

"The element with Goretzka in central midfield definitely worked," said the former DFB captain.

Schweinsteiger praises the Flick lineup and World Cup joker filling jug

In general, national coach Hansi Flick “put the right team on the field, also with the right tactics”.

This also applies to the joker role of goal scorer Niclas Füllkrug.

"Having him on the bench as another element is an advantage," said Schweinsteiger.

Of course, the jubilation in the German team was huge after the 1-1 equalization, but his first World Cup goal leaves Füllkrug completely cold.