Germany gave its fans a football festival with a 6-0 (4-0) win against Slovakia at the end of what had been a very tough World Cup qualification up to that point. It was also balm for the soul for Florian Wirtz, with a strong performance he was able to signal to Liverpool FC that he is getting closer to his top form again. The DFB team in individual criticism.
Goal
Oliver Baumann: There was actually a moment when the game could have been overturned. After 20 minutes, David Duris had a great chance to equalize, but what felt like Baumann’s first touch of the game was a very strong save when he dived very quickly and directed the ball past the post. Otherwise, the goalkeeper was able to enjoy the strong performance of those in front of him.
Defense
Joshua Kimmich (until 64th minute): In Luxembourg the captain had to do better, against Slovakia he put himself back together, as Julian Nagelsmann explained before the game. Kimmich was a direct pioneer, showing his colleagues the right way – and his quality when crossing the ball opened the door: his cross to Woltemade made it 1-0. Was able to continue recovering from his injury early on.
Jonathan Tah: It feels like the defender has been there for a long time, but it is only at the age of 30 that Tah will most likely finally fulfill his World Cup dream. He wasn’t particularly noticeable against Slovakia, but was as aggressive in forward defense as Nagelsmann expected. Tah did his job, but it was unnecessary that he got a yellow card for complaining.
Nico Schlotterbeck (until 64): It was the perfect game for the BVB defender, who like Kimmich had not played in Luxembourg. Slovakia were very deep and so Schlotterbeck had the opportunity to use his exceptional strengths in the build-up game with a lot of time. His passes through the ranks or diagonal balls to Leroy Sané made things much easier for Germany. He was also present defensively.
David Raum (until 72): From the start, the Leipzig player was one of the pioneers of very high attacks, and his stormy attacks were usually successful. On offense, Raum also had a lot of action, but his crosses didn’t find his teammates in the middle. His corners came better, even if they weren’t converted.
midfield
Leon Goretzka: His start was bumpy, but the FC Bayern professional played his way into the game through his runs into the penalty area, as he was always very present at crosses alongside Nick Woltemade. Before the 2-0, Goretzka also shone outside the penalty area, with a dream pass to scorer Serge Gnabry. Overall, a lot of activity in the attacking midfield.
Aleksandar Pavlovic (until 46): Even before the DFB scored, the 21-year-old dominated the midfield, dictating the pace and direction, repeatedly switching sides with pinpoint balls or finding the gaps with through passes. Pavlovic was also very strong in counter-pressing, won a lot of balls and ensured that Slovakia playmaker Stanislav Lobotka was far away from his normal form. After halftime he was able to adjust to his everyday league life in Munich.
Leroy Sane: The comeback in Luxembourg had already been successful with two assists, and the Galatasaray professional gilded the DFB’s return with a brace against Slovakia. And in both goals, the class that Sané has in him was evident – before the 3-0, he received a long ball brilliantly and converted with the second contact, and in the 4-0, he volleyed the ball into the near corner with a technically valuable shot with his left outside foot. As in Luxembourg, Sané also shone as a preparer, making it 6-0 with his heel.
Serge Gnabry: In the 25th minute, the Bayern offensive player missed a great chance to make it 2-0, four minutes later he remained ice cold after Goretzka’s strong assist. Gnabry couldn’t be stopped at all and kept finding himself in dangerous situations. A strong game, although he looked unfortunate on another fumbled opportunity when two Slovaks in front of him missed the ball. Gnabry then prepared the 5-0.
Florian Wirtz (until 77): Liverpool FC’s problem child was a free spirit everywhere from the start and had lots of ideas – but initially in safe spaces. Then Wirtz prepared Sané’s two goals outstandingly, first with a long ball behind the Slovakian defensive line, then with a very strong cross from the half field. The 22-year-old has had his problems in England so far, but with performances like this things are getting better there very quickly.
attack
Nick Woltemade: WolTORmade! In the Premier League, the striker has become a real goal-getter and header monster; his 1-0 win was the fourth DFB goal in a row that he scored. Otherwise, Woltemade worked a lot, opened up space for Gnabry and Co., and started the 5-0 goal brilliantly. It would be worth a lot if the Newcastle United attacker can take this form to the World Cup.
Substitute
Felix Nmecha (46th for Pavlovic): By the time the Dortmund player came into the game, it had long since been decided; his time to shine was over – but he still did a very good job. Nmecha didn’t stand out as much as Pavlovic, but fit seamlessly into the great German evening.
Ridle Baku (64th for Kimmich): In Luxembourg, Nagelsmann gave him his first start in the DFB team in four years, and the right-back thanked the national coach with an assist. Against Slovakia, Baku gave the Leipzig fans their best moment in particular, because he was the only RB professional to score, shortly after coming on as a substitute he made it 5-0.
Malick Thiaw (64th for Schlotterbeck): With strong performances in Newcastle, the defender had already earned his DFB comeback in Luxembourg after more than two years, and against Slovakia he was allowed to play for just under half an hour again. He still had a zero, but picked up a yellow card for a foul.
Nathaniel Brown (72nd for space): In addition to his previous eight international minutes, he added 18 more, like in the 4-0 win against Luxembourg, the Frankfurt player was once again part of a runaway victory. But he could no longer shine himself.
Assan Ouedraogo (77th for Wirtz): Everything went for the DFB team that evening – and that’s why the debutant also had his big moment. With his first touch of the ball as a national player, Ouedraogo sank the ball into the net to make it 6-0 – in front of his own fans. The offensive player is currently taking off at RB Leipzig, and now the high continues in the DFB jersey.