DFB squad aims for harmony between caution and enthusiasm
First off, the grand debut of the Home-EM Football Tournament has taken place, yet suspicion clouded the subsequent day. What shape did the German football team truly find themselves in? The initial skirmish against Scotland provided clues, albeit no definitive answers.
The midday sun blazed over Munich's main train station, casting long shadows on the faces of Munich locals. Whispers filled the bakery, while an unusually high number of sunglasses-clad individuals wandered the station halls. Scottish fans sipped beer or water to ease their hangovers, while others grappled with the bitter pill that their 1:5 loss to the German team meant an early morning flight home.
The scene was a mirror image, regardless of whether one donned the German or Scottish jersey. The day after the noisy Home-European Championship opener, a massive hangover had settled over Munich. While the Scottish fans were packing up and reckoning expenses, the question arose on the opposite side: What exactly transpired? Did the German team truly shine, or was Scotland merely struggling? Did the hosts overwhelm the guests so much that they didn't even attempt a shot on target?
The main players interpreted the spectacle more similarly in the heart of the Allianz Arena that evening, they simply expressed themselves differently. The national coach, Julian Nagelsmann, offered a measured response: " frankly, I'm not one to mince words. It doesn't make much sense to hold back now. We won a game, but we need to win at least one more." Thomas Muller, known for his intensity in previous tournaments, was more tentative: "the emotional rollercoaster is nice, but it won't get you through the tournament. You have to win the games. Therefore, the points are decisive."
Insights Gained? Absolutely!
Yet, the value of a 5:1 victory over a Scottish team, which put up little resistance, is questionable. One must consider the fact that they were a man short for half an hour. Only one shot on target, minimal ball possession, no attempts at a counterattack - and still, the German team gleaned crucial insights.
The mist of uncertainty that veiled Nagelsmann before the Home-EM is gradually dissipating. The pre-tournament pressure cooker, built up before what could be the most significant opener ever, was immense. Despite their denials earlier, it was a demoralizing start, and extricating themselves was difficult. However, there was no nervousness, no stage fright. Just 50 seconds into the match, Florian Wirtz hurls a top chance, though a goal, due to offside, would not have been counted. The team withstood pressure remarkably well.
Yes, the Scots appeared surprisingly weak, but it's worth noting that the coach's plan is working. The combination of hard workers, magicians, and link-ups is functioning. The free-spirited Wirtz and Jamal Musiala dribble and score with ease. Even the skeptical Muller conceded, "they showed themselves and the German football nation that they don't just come with potential, but are also real players."
"Dazzling performance notwithstanding, it is also the credit of the two connections. Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan performed admirably. While the former was met with chants of "Toni, Toni, Toni" from the crowd, the latter remained the silent hero, making everyone around him better. The jokers even shone, even the late addition Emre Can."
Still, the defense remains enveloped in a dense fog. The ongoing discussion surrounding goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has yet to reveal a new chapter, as the last inconsistent goalkeeper had little to do. It was only noticeable that he handled the rare balls he received with long, rather than short, passes. As for the defense, there isn't much else to say. How does Joshua Kimmich fare against quick wing strikers? Remains to be seen. And is the central defensive partnership between Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rüdiger as solid as everyone claims? Unknown.
The Treacherous Second Group Match
"There's not much to be said about it," summed up the subbed Niclas Füllkrug the evening. "We played a very good first half, so that nothing could go wrong anymore."
And what's next? The classic tricky second group match awaits. In successful tournaments, it has always been a tough nut to crack: in 2014, there was a 2:2 against Ghana, in 2016, a 0:0 against Poland. Surprisingly, the second group matches in Qatar and Russia were the only high points in otherwise dismal tournaments for the German team.
Hungary visits Stuttgart on a Wednesday evening. Nagelsmann referred to them as a challenging opponent, difficult to prepare for. "They have a wild setup," he said. "They are hard to comprehend. Szoboszlai is the key player," explained the national coach. A win, and the German team can virtually secure a spot in the round of 16. But beware: Despite a poor showing in the 1:3 loss to Switzerland on this Saturday afternoon, this team has historically given the German team trouble.
Following the 5:1 elation, lingering doubts could be set aside. Yet, a surprising pattern from previous tournaments emerged: skepticism. Someone always manages to rain on the parade before outcomes resolve the issue. And if the national coach doesn't want to be the raincloud, there's always Thomas Müller. A Scottish journalist posed a question to him about a revival of the good old days? Is Germany back as a tournament powerhouse, like before 2018? Should we be worried about the German team again? "The morale is quite high right now," Müller chuckled. "However, morale can vanish just as quickly: with a poor outcome." Especially in the knockout stages. He knows the drill. In fact, three years back, we were unfortunately knocked out in the EURO round of 16 by England.
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The European Football Championship 2024 schedule includes Germany's home match against Hungary in Stuttgart, a challenging encounter for the national soccer team. Despite their dominance in the opening match against Scotland, many in Munich remain uncertain about the team's true form, with the defense still appearing shaky and questions about their performance against quick wing strikers.
Amidst the celebrations following their resounding 5-1 victory against Scotland in the European Football Championship 2024, two-time World Cup winner Thomas Muller cautions that morale can quickly fade with a poor outcome, especially during the knockout stages, recalling Germany's heartbreaking loss in the EURO round of 16 to England in 2018.
