analysis
The German footballers were torn out of their title dream in the European Championship semi-final against Spain (0-1) on Wednesday evening. An error chain led to the decisive goal. The disappointment was great, but the proud of what was achieved as well.
In the end, Janina Minge and Co. were literally in the rain in Zurich. Her fans cheered them one last time, sang and waved their Germany flags. Despite the increasingly dense rainfall, the players remained on the career of the Letzigrund stadium for minutes and sucked this great impact at one last time.
The DFB women had also thrown everything into the balance against the Spaniards – and forced the big tournament favorites to extend. But world footballer Aitana Bonmati duped goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger: The goal in the 113rd minute of play made the out of the German dreams at the end of the German dreams.
“It is bitter how the game went. We have again performed a very good performance”said the disappointed Christian Wück. The national coach described the goal from Bonmati as “Creation of genius”.
A German error chain leads to the goal
But that’s only half the truth. A German error chain was preceded by the decisive goal. She had started at Sydney Lohmann. Wück spoke of “Safe possession of the ball”. The midfielder tried to hit the ball far forward on the left defense. But that was not possible, the Spaniards came back in possession 25 meters before the goal.
We know that we don’t have to give the ball at all. We were in safe possession. That is the difference to the Spaniards. But there will be no allegations – no matter who.
It was finally Athenea who was able to send Bonmati into the penalty area with a plug -on pass, even though she was against three German players. Even central defender Rebecca Knaak had moved a few meters forward to help. Athenea’s passport could not prevent it and then couldn’t afterwards. Berger finally speculated on a cross and let the ball pass in the short corner.
“She knows that the short corner always looks stupid”said Wück. Curiously, Bonamatis was only assigned an Expected goal value of 0.05 due to the very pointed angle. But this one time the ball found its way into the net.
Berger Hardert – Knaak and Wück jump aside for her
Berger immediately admitted her mistake after the game – and wanted to take the defeat on her cap. “I take my blame. The short corner must be – very clear“, the 34-year-old emphasized. The shot would have “Should just be mine. I’m incredibly sorry for the team.”
“Anne does not have to blame. She saved us into enough scenes and kept in the game”Wück didn’t want to know anything about it. And when asked about the situation, Knaak said: “I also blame myself. In the end, it is often about centimeters: sometimes in our favor and sometimes not.”
In this case, it simply makes the wrong one with Berger: “Anne carried us through the tournament.” Without them, the team would not even have come to the semi -finals, emphasized Knaak and stated: “We lose here.”
Däbritz, Minge and Sensß do hard work
The emphasis was once again on “together”. Because, as in the quarter -finals against France (7: 6 ne), the German team had done a lot right in the network, and again and again on the left wing Klara Bühl and right wing Jule Brand had rushed to the full -backs. And it was impressive how little of BONMATI and above all Alexia Putellas could be seen in the central midfield of the Spaniards: Sara Däbritz, Janina Minge and Elisa Seneß did a hard work.
Berger has the most ball actions
And again and again the DFB women succeeded in putting pinnacles forward. However, goalkeeper Catalina Coll hardly got anything to do. The first dangerous conclusion was only in the 63rd minute when Bühl tested the Spanish keeper. On the other hand, Berger had the most ball campaigns of all German players (79) and showed eight parades. In any case, it is important to note that the victory of the Iber women is deserved. Although Germany has given the world champion a big struggle.
“We represented Germany very well”
“I told the girls that they can be proud. We represented Germany very well”said Wück. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we got from the many spectators and fans. That was really sensational.”
Even if I am completely empty and disappointed now, I’m totally proud of the team and I will stay.
And so finally Knaak spoke of tears of emotion in the eyes of one “Incredible journey “. She was grateful to be part of this team. It is “Very emotional” for you and a “Craziness”what has happened in the past few weeks.
“We appreciate the support of the fans, our families and friends so much.” And that’s why shortly before midnight in the rain of Zurich it was also about saying thank you again.