“A traditionally awful Germany” – Welt. “DFB Girls Gentle Years away from the World Prime” – Bild. “One massive defeat and plenty of small ones” – Der Spiegel. These have been simply a few of the headlines that emerged within the aftermath of Germany's bruising 4-1 defeat by the hands of Sweden of their last Group C match.
In only a matter of days, the optimism surrounding Germany's probabilities has seemingly dissipated. Regardless of qualifying for the quarter-finals with a sport to spare, Christian Wück's aspect have appeared removed from cohesive and defensively frail. They have been additionally uncovered by a Sweden assault that understood the right way to exploit their weaknesses. Carlotta Wamser's crimson card was actually an element however there are long-standing structural points that must be a trigger for concern with an in-form France to return on Saturday in Basel.
The loss to Sweden was the heaviest defeat Germany have suffered at a European Championship. In consequence, the supervisor has discovered himself on the tip of mounting criticism again residence. Sportschau.de highlighted Wück's failure to react to “the rising catastrophe” whereas Bild pointed to the shortage of world-class choices within the squad. “The bitter fact is: now we have postponed growth and must act urgently!” Robert Schreier wrote.
Fast InformationFrance v Germany: final three conferences
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Germany 2-1 France, 27 July 2022, Milton Keynes
“I can't put it into phrases … we threw every thing in,” mentioned the Germany captain, Alexandra Popp, after powering her aspect into the Euro 2022 last. Her double in Milton Keynes ended France's run and continued her streak of scoring in each sport she performed within the event. Kadidiatou Diani led France's response, her shot rebounding off the publish and in off the goalkeeper Merle Frohms. A shocking save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin stored France in it, and the defending was admirable, however Popp's unstoppable header proved the distinction.
Germany 2-1 France, 7 October 2022, Dresden
Germany kicked off their World Cup preparations with a present of power in Dresden. Earlier than kick-off, gamers huddled round Giulia Gwinn's shirt – a nod to their injured teammate – and channelled that spirit right into a dominant show. Popp rose for her sixtieth worldwide purpose, then slid in a second. France pulled one again from the spot, however Germany's defence held agency. Surrounded by flags and residential assist, they appeared sharp, united and prepared.
France 2-1 Germany, 23 February 2024, Lyon
France ended a five-year drought towards Germany in entrance of a document 30,000 crowd in Lyon, edging a fierce Nations League semi-final. Diani opened with a thunderous strike from the sting of the field, earlier than Sakina Karchaoui added a second from the spot. Germany pulled one again by way of Gwinn's penalty, with Popp driving them ahead, however France held on for a long-overdue win.
Since he took over the reins after their bronze medal-winning run at Paris 2024, Wück has instilled a robust offensive type of play in comparison with his predecessor Horst Hrubesch. It has produced notable wins – the 4-3 victory over England at Wembley is only one instance – whereas the 26 targets scored of their Nations League marketing campaign caught the attention.
Up to now this event, nevertheless, the German assault is but to succeed in its devastating finest despite the fact that Wück has a wealth of inventive gamers to name on. There have been glimpses of their brilliance. Jule Model's opener towards Sweden was an illustration of the tempo and directness this aspect is constructed on, together with her and Klara Bühl's potential to stretch defences on present. Together with the instinctive goalscoring of Lea Schüller, they are going to be eyeing up the comparatively younger French central defensive partnership, notably if Griedge Mbock stays absent.
The most important concern for Germany earlier than the assembly with their outdated rivals will probably be how simply they are often damaged down whereas there are additionally issues across the type of the goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Poland gave them a scare within the opener however lacked finish product.
It was a special story towards Sweden. Even earlier than the sending-off, their issues have been uncovered for the world to see, notably for Stina Blackstenius's equaliser. With the left-back Sarai Linder caught excessive and the remainder of the defensive unit following the ball within the preliminary part, the striker had acres of grass to interrupt into earlier than punishing them with the end.
France's potential in huge areas is considered one of their most potent weapons. With two targets and two assists, Delphine Cascarino has been a standout success and plenty of will bear in mind what she did to England's left aspect within the opener. Down the opposite wing, Sandy Baltimore will pounce on any weak point.
Germany's issues in these areas are compounded by the lack of their right-back and captain, Giulia Gwinn, to a knee harm and now the suspension of her back-up Wamser. It leaves Wück compelled to maneuver the items on the chessboard, shifting Linder out to the suitable with Franziska Kett the probably possibility to return in on the opposite aspect. In that case, it is going to be an enormous ask of a 20-year-old who made simply seven appearances within the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich final season.
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Whereas Wück can rue his unhealthy luck for Gwinn's harm, Germany's lack of defensive depth is basically of his personal making. The high-profile dropping of the skilled left-back Felicitas Rauch – which she solely found on social media – was an indication that each one won't be fully effectively within the camp. The 33-year-old defender Sara Doorsun was advised she would solely be on the ready record for the event and promptly retired.
His obvious refusal to deal with the problems has added to the elevated concern. Whereas he shifted to a few on the again within the second half towards Sweden, that appeared extra right down to circumstances forcing his hand. “It could be improper if we'd say we solely need to react and destroy,” he mentioned afterwards. “I've the improper gamers [for that]. It isn't within the nature of the staff to face within the again [park the bus] and attempt to maintain a clear sheet or a draw and never strive something up entrance”.
Nonetheless, given his quick time within the job, there's a feeling that he'll survive no matter occurs. The previous goalkeeper and present ARD pundit Almuth Schult mentioned: “I don't assume it's going to be shut for him but”, when it comes to his job being on the road. There is no such thing as a doubt, nevertheless, that ought to they lose, the stress will proceed to escalate given the excessive expectations of a nation that has gained this competitors eight instances.
