The loss was against Japan (1-4) took ‘Hansi’ Flick forward. Germany, only 9 months from organizing Euro 2024, is going through one of the worst crises in its history. The ‘Mannschaft’, eliminated from the World Cup in the Group Stage, streak of five games without a win: four losses and one draw.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make, but we need new impetus,” said Bernd Neuendorf, president of the DFB. to appoint Rudi Völler, sporting director, as interim coach ahead of the friendly against France.
Waiting for (maybe) Julian Nagelsmann, Germany ‘click’ without Flick beat France (2-1). Völler made only three changes: sent Schlotterbeck, Kimmich and Havertz to enter Henrichs, Tah and Müller.
The result was immediate: there was no time to see the ‘drawing’ when, after 4 minutes, they won 1-0. Gündogan, captain, recovers in defense, Henrichs gets the baseline after a big wall with Gnabry on the left and Thomas Müller shoots Maignan after controlling the ball with ‘the hole in his stomach’.
Müller now has 45 goals in the ‘Mannschaft’, the same as Rummenigge. Only Klinsmann (47), Völler (47), Podolski (49), Gerd Müller (68) and Klose (71) surpassed him. Maignan, on the other hand, said goodbye to 494 minutes without defeat at ‘Les Bleus’.
The big taste that left Germany in the mouth is gone, which coincides with the time of the injury of Gündogan in the 25′. The Barcelona ‘helmsman’ fell badly in a jump with Rabiot and retired with his hands on his lower back. It doesn’t seem serious, just a stroke, but let’s be careful.
France, without Koundé, Mbappé or Dembélé at the beginning, began to gain ‘yards’ behind Tchouaméni. The Madrid player, joined by Camavinga in the midfield and Griezmann a few meters further, became a big ‘threat’ for France.
Tchouaméni warned, from the head, up to three times in strategy games. In the most dangerous, in 38′, he forced Ter Stegen to deflect a corner.
The former Monaco player, who just scored in the victory against Ireland (2-0), enjoyed himself and, after the break, tried again. This time, with a shot from outside the area in the 57th minute. Ter Stegen barely avoided Tchouaméni’s shot and Kolo Muani slipped when he was about to score.
Changes spoil the last episode. The pace decreased significantly, but France, without Mbappé, who did not play a single minute, continued to try. Ter Stegen took the lead after Griezmann’s shot in the 83rd minute.
Germany, not looking for it, found themselves 2-0 up in the 87th minute. Havertz took advantage of a mistake by Todibo at the start to filter a good pass towards Leroy Sané. The Bayern winger did not forgive the one-on-one with Maignan.
But Sané has two houses and it took him three minutes to go from ‘hero’ to ‘villain’. In the 89th minute he came in with everyone and ‘fronted’ Camavinga in the area. Punishment. Griezmann endured the psychological battle with his former teammate Ter Stegen well and did not forgive from 11 meters. 2-1.
Germany were unconvinced… but they beat a France with five straight wins. A great way to ‘click’ without Flick.
