Germany’s defeat against Portugal has shown that national coach Nagelsmann lacks a decisive factor for success.
The German national team did not have to worry about one thing in the past: namely the so-called Bayern block of the players from the best club in the country that could lead the team to titles.
- DFB defeat against Portugal: An unpleasant truth
Bavaria’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß sworn from “FC Bayern Germany” over ten years ago. His goal was to sign the best German players who were then also in the DFB team: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, Mario Götze and Jérôme Boateng. No sooner said than done. With these seven players, Germany became world champion in Brazil in 2014.
And today? Current national coach Julian Nagelsmann currently has an acute problem: there is no longer a Bayern block. At least none who can do the team better at the moment. Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller resigned. There are currently five Bayern players in the DFB squad, plus Jonathan Tah, who will wear the Bayern jersey in the coming season.
However, apart from Joshua Kimmich, everyone fluctuates in their shape – the game or defeat against Portugal has shown this significantly. Leroy Sané is a world class on some days, a player who can make the difference. He struggles with himself on all other days, so it is not even enough for international format.
A lot was discussed about the return of Leon Goretzka to the DFB team. He fit in well, but he could not prevent the defeat against Portugal or against it. Aleksandar Pavlović and Serge Gnabry remain.
- Germany is leaving: The bitter reality
Pavlović was injured for a long time, you cannot blame him for the weak appearance of the national team. But it was obvious: the midfield center with him and Goretzka did not work. The offensive player Gnabry was brought back to the national team by Nagelsmann after half a year of break and a mixed season at Bayern. One could have thought that he wanted to show himself. Prove that he is rightly wearing the DFB jersey again.
But the opposite was the case. After his change, he performed silently and lethargically (T-Online note 5). His body language on the pitch may have driven both trainers and teammates crazy.
Germany hopes for Musiala
After the game, national coach Julian Nagelsmann spoke of a “big disappointment” and that the key is already “that we have to give 100 percent” in order to keep up with top teams. Nagelsmann did not reveal who he meant by his players by that. It seems to be clear that he should also have thought of the Bayern stars.
There is a glimmer of hope to restore the Bayern-Phalanx in the national team: the return of Jamal Musiala, on which the hopes of an entire nation lie. He is the difference that Nagelsmann needs to survive against top teams.
How the other Bayern stars will continue and whether they are returning to the DFB district-Nagelsmann will now have to think carefully. In any case, Germany is far from “FC Bayern Germany”, as Uli Hoeneß imagined.