Final encounter in the series - European Championship aspirations replaced by uncertainty: Nagelsmann confronts Neuer.
Following their last-minute victory over Greece, the German national team received applause from their fans once more. However, head coach Julian Nagelsmann's expression as he made his way to the locker room suggested that the 2-1 (0-1) victory in the warm-up match for the home European Championship on Friday night raised more doubts than confidence for the upcoming game against Scotland in just under a week.
"The win is crucial for the overall morale and is, in the end, deserved," stated Nagelsmann to RTL. Nevertheless, he voiced his complaints: too many errors and a slow game, particularly in the first half.
Pascal Groß, who had been taken off the field, scored the 2-1 in Moenchengladbach in the 89th minute. After a lackluster and error-prone performance by the German squad in the first half, Kai Havertz managed to equalize after the intermission (56th). At least the team's determination was admirable.
"No debates will be permitted"
The Greeks displayed great passion in the Borussia-Park and rightfully claimed their lead through Giorgos Masouras (34th). The striker capitalized on a significant mistake from Manuel Neuer, who had once again shown himself to be unreliable as Germany's top goalkeeper. Nagelsmann immediately made it known: "I won't allow any discussions to start, no matter who tries."
Royal League winners Toni Kroos and Antonio Rudiger were unable to bring their mentality from Real Madrid to Germany's national team. "We were well aware that we probably weren't as good as they made us out to be," Kroos told RTL. "We were simply too error-prone."
Lacking tempo, intensity, and ball control
The unsatisfactory performance in the first half must have prompted Nagelsmann to reconsider his approach. After all, he had already decided on the same starting lineup weeks earlier, according to his own statements.
However, Nagelsmann's wish team was unable to show any sign of a successful home tournament during the first half, lacking tempo, intensity, ball control, and any semblance of Euro Championship pressure. The Greeks, who had been eliminated in the March playoffs against the outsiders from Georgia, seemed like they were just about to begin an important tournament - not the European Championship hosts themselves.
A multitude of errors
The goal by the Greeks in the 33rd minute represented the persistent inaccurate play and most notably, a high number of errors in attaching the ball in the initial half: Jamal Musiala lost the ball after a fumbled pass from Jonathan Tah. Eventually, it was Neuer who made a blunder once again in this year. A fairly innocuous shot from Christos Tzolis ended up straight in front of Masouras. The forward, who is also being considered for a move to Hertha BSC, scored close range.
This major error by Neuer overshadowed an otherwise spot-on save he had made earlier, preventing a much earlier Greek lead in the 6th minute. The Bayern goalkeeper saved twice from close range against Tzolis, this time playing for Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The starting formation that had been anticipated to take part in the tournament bore several red flags. As many mistakes indicated, the German team was in poor form.
Some spectators even booed during the break, and Nagelsmann responded to the sluggish performance with the substitution of Leroy Sané and David Raum. These changes had an immediate impact. The team at least exhibited a reaction, and Sané, particularly, revived the lackluster offense.
Sané: A valuable asset for the Germans
Sané, who may serve as an alternative to Florian Wirtz or perhaps partially replace Imkay Gündogan, who had been ineffective in his role as captain at times, proved his importance to the squad against the Greeks. The Bayern striker confirmed his position among Germany's key players.
In the end, even Pascal Groß contributed by scoring his first goal for the national team with a dropkick.
"That's what we need," Nagelsmann remarked: "An impulse from the bench is also essential at the EM." 1
- https://www.sport-schau.de/fussball/uefa-euro-2020/deutschland-griechenland-331229
