DFB team 1: 1 against Holland: Flick’s winning streak ended

1:1 against Elftal

For more than an hour it was a successful performance by the DFB-Elf at the first real benchmark in the Flick era. In the second round, however, the German team came under pressure against their rivals and, with luck, averted the first defeat.

Hansi Flick’s winning streak has ended, but the belief in a successful World Cup remains. After a long dominant appearance in the prestige duel with arch-rival Holland, the 1-1 (1-0) in Amsterdam was a fair result in the end. After Thomas Müller’s 43rd international goal (45+1), David Raum could have increased the lead to 2-0 immediately after the break if he had a big chance.

When the Dutch turned up the heat, the German team also needed luck. Shortly after Steven Bergwijn equalized (68′), English referee Craig Pawson happily took back a penalty kick after video evidence. Thilo Kehrer hit Holland attacker Memphis Depay on the foot in the penalty area while trying to clear. The draw was happy in the end.

Even if Flick was not able to celebrate a win for the first time in his ninth game as national coach, he can look forward to the draw for the World Cup groups this Friday in Qatar’s capital Doha. Four years after the preliminary round in Russia, the DFB team does not have to fear a difficult group.

At the first big World Cup test in front of around 50,000 fans, the German team put away high-profile failures for a long time. Four potential regulars were missing from the Bayern block in Kimmich, Goretzka, Süle and Gnabry. Flick created new options such as the U21 European champions Nico Schlotterbeck and David Raum in defense or Jamal Musiala. The Bayern talent played cheekily in the Kimmich position in defensive midfield and also prepared Müller’s goal. The 32-year-old drew level with honorary captain Uwe Seeler in the all-time DFB list of goalscorers.

“We want to go back to the top of the world,” Flick had formulated his sense of entitlement in front of the “barometer” against the eternal rival and called for a courageous appearance. The coach was also offered this by his team. The former Bayern coach was also made aware that the German team is prone to making mistakes under pressure.

There was no question of a friendly game. In an intense game, the DFB selection, playing in black, initially acted with great concentration. The Dutch, who are often praised for their offensive qualities, were pinned down again and again in their own penalty area with high pressure. Instead, Oranje lurked – quite unusually – for a counterattack. Flick had already given the signal with his line-up. The offensive Musiala replaced Kimmich in the sixth position and knew how to convince.

The 19-year-old not only initiated the opening goal, but also solved his task – sometimes technically, sometimes physically – very skilfully. The national coach had prescribed more Bayern power for the German game compared to the 2-0 win against Israel. Manuel Neuer was in goal again, while Müller and Leroy Sané returned to the starting XI. After a fine interaction, Müller and Sané also created the first goal chance for the DFB team in the twelfth minute.

Despite all efforts, the Oranje defense stars around Virgil van Dijk did not offer much space. Timo Werner’s crossbar would not have counted anyway due to an alleged offside position (21′). Only the last action in the first round brought the DFB leadership. Werner staged Musiala. His sharp cross cleared Tyrell Malacia in the middle, where Müller was once again spot on. And orange? The hosts often seemed at a loss as to what was to be seen on Louis van Gaal’s face. Dortmund’s Donyell Malen was also unlucky. With a good chance to counterattack, the attacker played a steep pass to Malacia (19′), and he fired another shot wide of the goal (35′). But the German defense also did well for a long time. Antonio Rüdiger provided stability in his 50th international match and newcomer Schlotterbeck knew how to use his second chance in four days.

Hoffenheim’s David Raum also made an impact, and the full-back was even able to score the first international goal. After a dream pass from Sané, Raum missed a huge chance (47′) in front of the Freiburg Oranje keeper Mark Flekken. But with the lead in the back, the German game was even more pleasing, even more concise. The DFB-Elf did not want to manage the result, but sought the decision.

The lack of consistency in the conclusion should take revenge. After a long ball, Denzel Dumfries returned his header to substitute Bergwijn, who hammered the ball into the goal. After that, the four-time world champion was even lucky that the English referee Pawson took back a penalty kick for the Dutch (73rd). Because Kehrer hit Depay in the leg when he tried to clarify. In another big Dutch chance, Schlotterbeck saved on the line (82nd). It was a tricky phase for the DFB selection, which should have given the national coach some insights.

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