Germany especially likes to play against Israel. On Saturday evening (03/26/2022) Germany won 2-0 (2-0) in Sinsheim, it was the fifth win in the fifth international match against Israel. The goals were scored by Kai Havertz (36 minutes) and Timo Werner (45 minutes).
After seven competitive games, the eighth international game under national coach Hans-Dieter Flick was not about points this time. Flick’s record remains flawless, even if Israel was never an equal opponent. It was Germany’s eighth win – it could have been even better, but Thomas Müller hit the post from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
After this unequal duel, it was hardly possible to gain any insight into how the German national team was doing.
Marciano makes a spoilsport
Germany often had the ball in the first half, but Flick’s team initially lacked ideas in the last third of the pitch, as well as the necessary precision and speed. When the action became more focused after just over 20 minutes, Israel goalkeeper Ofir Marciano played spoilsport.
First, Marciano parried a Havertz volley from close range with one hand (29′), later he saved with his foot, and Havertz shot again (35′).
First Havertz, then Werner – half-time lead for Germany
Germany’s lead fell from a corner less than sixty seconds later – and this time Marciano had no defense. The strong David Raum needed the ball from the right side to the middle. Havertz was free to head the ball at the near post – 1:0.
The second goal for the DFB selection came after a standard situation. Ilkay Gündoğan lifted the ball from the left edge of the penalty area in the first half to the near post, where Werner completed the corner with a right foot on the left.
Again and again Marciano stops
Even after the break, Germany was the game-determining team. Things got really dangerous in the 60th minute when the ball landed at the feet of right-back Thilo Kehrer after a cross from Müller and a failed defensive action. Kehrer volleyed, it was a nice shot, but Marciano made a save worth seeing.
Eight minutes later it was Marciano again who prevented Germany from taking a clearer lead. After a cross from Müller, Draxler took aim with his outside instep, it became a dangerous bounce. But Marciano saved that shot too.
Müller fails from the point
When joker Lukas Nmecha went down in the penalty area shortly before the end of the game, Germany received a penalty. Of course it was up to Müller, who aimed too precisely. His shot hit the post.
In added time, Israel also received a penalty. DFB debutant Nico Schlotterbeck had put in a strong performance, only making a blunder once. In the penalty area he hit Yonatan Cohen and not the ball. Cohen played himself – and failed because of Kevin Trapp, who had been in the German goal in the second half.
For Germany, the next test match will continue on Tuesday (March 29th, 2022). In Amsterdam, the DFB-Elf meets the Netherlands – maybe then it will show how the development of the German national team really is.
Source: tbe