The German national team delivers a 4-3 spectacle in the friendly against Switzerland. Hui at the front, yuck at the back? RTL expert Lothar Matthäus names the strengths and weaknesses in the German game and explains why he would not rotate in defense.
TV expert Lothar Matthäus sees no need for a change in central defense despite a few mistakes in the DFB team’s defense. “I wouldn’t use the mistakes in the goals today – and Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah are in the draw – as a reason to change the central defense,” he agreed RTL/ntv and sport.de.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann had relied on the duo Tah and Schlotterbeck in the starting line-up against Switzerland. The latter made two mistakes with mistakes in the build-up before conceding goals. Tah scored himself, but didn’t always seem confident on defense.
“Everyone can have a bad game. They have achieved excellent performances so far. Mistakes were made today. You have the opportunity to do better in the next game,” continued Matthäus. On Monday, the DFB team will face Ghana in Stuttgart (8:45 p.m. in the live ticker).
The national coach has, among others, veteran Antonio Rüdiger in the rear for central defense. He played his last DFB game at the beginning of September 2025. He has since lost his regular place.
Matthäus raves about Wirtz
Nevertheless, as a Real Madrid player, Rüdiger “has the right to play right from the start,” emphasizes Matthäus. “He now accepts his role. He will do everything in the coming months to convince Nagelsmann that he is back in the starting line-up.”
The highlights of the game between Switzerland and Germany
Video: Highlights: DFB-Elf wins 7-goal spectacle in Basel
In general, the three goals conceded were the big drawback in the game, said Matthäus. “Especially how they came about. Very negligent in the build-up game for the first two goals conceded. You have to avoid that. In tournaments it’s punished differently.”
At the same time, he pointed out that the team played “attractive, successful football” going forward. “They played well together, good running routes, good passing game. They had speed. It’s great fun to watch the team on offense.”
The DFB record player gave a lot of praise to Zauberfuß Florian Wirtz, “and not just because of the two goals.” “He was present, could be found everywhere. You can see: the team is looking for him. That’s what he needs. Ball contact. Similar to Leverkusen two years ago. He was the difference player on the offensive,” explained the 65-year-old. He emphasized that he had rarely seen a better Florian Wirtz. “Maybe in Leverkusen, but definitely not with the national team.”
