It should be a successful start to the 2026 World Cup qualification. But the appearance in Slovakia became an embarrassment for the team of national coach Nagelsmann.
A German national team had never lost an away game in the World Cup qualification in their history. On Thursday it was so far after 52 games. In Slovakia, the DFB team lost 0: 2 after a desolate appearance.
The offensive around the Premier League professional Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade remained pale, the defense could be surprised again and again.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann raised the alarm after the game: “In emotionality, the opponent was miles from the first to the last minute. This is a fact. Terrified, on top of that, that such an opponent with more emotionality also brings significantly more quality than we do,” said Nagelsmann after the 0: 2 (0: 1) in Slovakia at ARD and was visibly annoyed.
“In general, everyone should have had that we want to go to the World Cup.” He selected the best players from Germany. “Maybe we have to rely on less quality, but on players who throw everything in. This would have led to a better result today,” complained Nagelsmann.
Accordingly, the grades for the DFB team failed. You can find the individual criticism of the German team here or up in the photo show.
However, Captain Joshua Kimmich also said, who said: “It was only a matter of attitude and that was our problem in the last games.” And further: “We know that this was a very, very bad game of everyone.