After the convincing 6-0 win against Slovakia and the resulting direct qualification for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, the previously critical mood surrounding the German national football team has changed. Philipp Lahm, captain of the 2014 World Cup team, still sees a need for improvement in the DFB team.
“It’s ups and downs. The most important thing in qualifying is that you qualify. That was done, you did it as first in the group and you don’t have to play in any playoff games, that’s extremely important,” emphasized Philipp Lahm on the sidelines of his induction into the German Sports Hall of Fame.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann’s protégés secured their World Cup ticket in an impressive way against Slovakia on Monday, but did not always shine in qualifying.
“But in a tournament like this, the performance has to be performed more consistently,” warned Lahm: “It is also a quality to perform consistently and not fall below a certain level.”
Video: After gala performance! Germany books the World Cup ticket
At the moment the fluctuations are still too great. “But there’s still a bit of time,” interjected the 42-year-old.
National team returnees raise hopes
Nagelsmann now has to wait until March for the next international matches.
“The next four months will have a lot to do with scouting, a lot with discussions, and also with club coaches, who of course all have an interest in playing good football,” reported the national coach about his upcoming program.
One of the most important dates for Nagelsmann is coming up in the USA in just over two weeks. Then he finds out who his team will have to face in the group phase next summer.
Positive: The long-injured starting eleven candidates Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger and Marc-André ter Stegen should be available again in the new year. “With us they have time to get healthy again until March, but of course they have to become stable now,” said Nagelsmann.