The defeat of Germany was inevitable

At the World Cup another loud unpleasant sensation. The four-time world champion, the German national team manages to fly out for the second tournament in a row in the group stage, again not getting into the playoffs. In 2018, in Russia, the Germans were the last in their group, this time they are third. If four years ago it was a shock, now it is a trend. MK understands what is happening to the once glorious German football.

It would seem that until recently, German fans proudly spoke to the entire football world, repeating the words of the great Gary Lineker: “22 people play football, and the Germans always win.” Yes, this is a free translation of his words, but until recently, by historical standards, this was the case. The Germans have been one of the most dominant forces in the sport for almost 70 years, having won four world titles since 1954, second only to Brazil, which has five world cups. There were also four second places…

And then something broke in the Bundesteam. And since 2018, it has not yet been able to be repaired.

Late on the evening of December 1, 2022, German football plunged into a deep crisis after another shocking exit from the World Cup. The national team flies home from Qatar despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 in the Group E final match.

Hope flickered in the hearts of German fans until the last minute. A 1-1 draw with Spain after an embarrassing 2-1 start to Japan gave Hans Flick’s men a slim chance of making it into the next round of the tournament. But for this, even a victory over Costa Rica was no longer enough to prevent a resounding fiasco. Spain also needed a victory over Japan.

However, this hope was not destined to come true. Because the fall did not begin in the Qatari sands, but much earlier. The Germans in this tournament were overworked, poorly prepared and did not meet the high standards of modern football. They did not demonstrate any of the characteristics that for so many decades have turned the Bundesteam into a world-beating force. Today’s team has become a shadow of its former power. Gone are her ability to never give up, determination and conviction that any game, regardless of the score, can be turned over.

Who are these people?

Flick’s team was a patchwork of aging and inexperienced players. The central forwards selected were 29-year-old Werder Bremen Nicolas Füllkrug, who made it to the main team for the first time, and young Youssouf Mukoko from Eintracht Frankfurt, the youngest player in the tournament. They were called to replace the injured Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha.

There were also problems in defense. Because of what, Flick did not play with the same defenders twice in all the matches that he played before the World Cup.

But the main problem is the lack of a natural leader on the field. Such as the great Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthäus or Bastian Schweinsteiger. The only player capable of taking responsibility for leading the team in a difficult situation. Current captain Manuel Neuer can’t do that from his net, and midfielders Ilkay Gendogan and Joshua Kimmich have consistently shied away from that role.

Thomas Müller, who was expelled from the national team a few years ago only to be brought back, is far from the player who won the World Cup in 2014. In addition, he finally left the national team after the inglorious departure from the World Cup in Qatar.

What to do?

Deep reforms will now be required, both at the level of the national team and at the level of the entire German Football Association, if the country’s main national sport is to survive this crisis, which has destroyed Germany’s reputation as a leading football power around the world.

The Germans have enough qualities to become the dominant force in football again. The only thing missing is the strong defense that helped them win four world championships. This opinion is shared by the current head coach Hans Flick. When asked after the World Cup elimination in Qatar what Germany needs to get back on top of football, Flick said that they need to build a young team with a strong tactical base, following the example of Spain.

“We have quality players from top clubs. For the future of German football, we need to train differently. For years we’ve been talking about new goalkeepers and cornerbacks. We need a foundation to be strong. Spain train young players well, they know their tactics very well. In the next 10 years, we need to focus on a new generation of footballers,” Flick told reporters.

An opinion that deserves attention. But how objective is Herr Flick?

The collapse of Germany was predetermined

The Germans arrived in Qatar with a holey defense that conceded almost every match after their crushing victory over Liechtenstein on November 11, 2021. Since then, the Germans have been slaughtered by everyone who is not lazy. The German national team conceded 15 goals in 10 matches, having played to zero only with Oman and Israel.

In the last match of the World Cup in Qatar, the Germans scored four goals. But they still conceded two goals from the Costa Ricans.

Attacking is also a problem. Germany has traditionally always had a centre-forward, but since Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez have gone from the scene, no one can fill the void. Muller and Havertz do not pull this role. Because of this, Flick is forced to play without a clear center forward. The same problem led to the departure from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Therefore, the Qatari disaster did not come as a big surprise, given. that Flick was forced to include in the attack the inexperienced duo of 29-year-old Füllkrug and 18-year-old Mukoko.

Germany now has two years to prepare for Euro 2024. But given the depth of the problem, it is necessary to focus on the 2026 World Cup. In order to try to rehabilitate themselves there for unsuccessful Russian and Middle Eastern companies.

We need to bring football back to the top

However, it’s not just about the game problems of the German team.

Let’s remember who, instead of thinking about football, paid most of his attention to protecting some freedoms and fighting for democratic values ​​in Qatar? Who was going to sue FIFA, stating that the international federation despicably deceived progressive Europeans, luring them to a terrible medieval emirate? Who constantly tried to put on a political self-admiration show by covering their mouths with their hands during the pre-match national anthem instead of practicing and practicing?

Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Wales… Where are they now?