Stefan Effenberg writes the bankruptcy in the semi -finals of the Nations League, national coach Julian Nagelsmann. But a fundamental problem is deeper, says the T-Online columnist.
I have to say it very clearly at the beginning: This 1: 2 in the semi -finals of the Nations League against Portugal is a bitter setback for the German national team. Not only because it is a damper for the euphoria that was created around the eleven of national coach Julian Nagelsmann. Not only because the final Four of the Nations League takes place in Germany and you had hoped for more with the home advantage. Not only because the title had been issued as a goal and, as a result of the defeat, you will also have to adjust to a heavy group at the upcoming World Cup 2026.
No, this 1: 2 is also a setback. Because what the DFB team showed on Wednesday evening in the Munich Allianz Arena was very mixed-at most. The players made far too many simple, individual mistakes, these uncertainties went through the whole game – and a team like Portugal mercilessly exploits such shortcomings. And after the 1: 2? There was no defiance reaction to the hosts, there was no rearing up, no offensive vertebrae. On the contrary, the two Portuguese goals within five minutes were clear hits for the German eleven, from which she could not recover properly.
But: This appearance of the German team was not a big surprise for me-because even in the two National League games against Italy it became clear that stability was lacking. They remember these two games in March: Germany won 2-1 away, played 3: 3 a few days later. These two games were cheered in many places. But even then I said: of these 180 minutes, a maximum of 90 minutes were good: the second half in the first leg when you could turn a 0-1 deficit, and again the first half in the second leg when Italy was shown 3-0. However, both halves deceived the obvious weaknesses – which were also shown again: sovereignty, clarity, security.
I think it is very good and right that DFB captain Joshua Kimmich spoke out after the game, what went wrong. But even more important: he also indicated an unpleasant truth: the German team lacks the depth compared to top nations such as Portugal, France or Spain. And he is right with it. For the DFB team, everything has to go together perfectly, but really everything together to be successful. The players have to play at the limit, work as a team, no mistakes must not happen, a little luck should not be missing. Portugal against it? There is simply a Vitinha in the second half, who has just won the Champions League as a top performer at Paris Saint-Germain. This is outstanding what potential there is still waiting on the bench – and we can not keep up, as openly.
But very little also went together tactically. An indication of this: Nagelsmann started with a triple chain in the defense, but later switched to chain of four – this is not a good sign at all. On the contrary: this is a fatal signal. And he has to be chalking that. The fact that this would not work should not be surprised. Because both Jonathan Tah and Waldemar Anton and Robin Koch are trained central defenders, but in Nagelsmann’s chain of three, Tah and Anton had to act as a full -back – and felt visibly uncomfortable.