Under Hansi Flick, the German national team remains without a win against a big football nation. For a long time, the DFB selection had led in an intense Nations League game, but then had to accept the equalizer with a penalty shortly before the end.
An annoying penalty cost Hansi Flick his first win against a big opponent on his return to Munich. In the 1:1 (0:0) in the football classic against England, the extremely rebuilt German national team was on course for victory for a long time on Tuesday evening thanks to Jonas Hofmann’s third international goal (51st minute). Then Nico Schlotterbeck acted unhappily against Harry Kane in the penalty area. After video evidence, England’s captain safely converted from the point against the otherwise invincible Manuel Neuer (88th).
In the second Nations League game, the German team did not only seem to be able to get revenge for the EM end a year ago against England. Despite the late equalizer, it was an important signal for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year. Flick, unbeaten even after the eleventh game as national coach, is progressing on the mission “back to the top of the world”. After the 1-1 draw in the Netherlands in March and the 1-1 draw in Italy, it was the third 1-1 in a row.
Germany vs. England: High tactical level
66,289 spectators in the sold-out Allianz Arena saw football at a high tactical level. The pace and intensity were right. And Gladbach’s Hofmann’s goal came from a fine combination of initiator Kai Havertz and passer Joshua Kimmich. Germany dominated after the lead, Thomas Müller missed the 2-0 (70th) after a cross from David Raum, as did substitute Timo Werner (75th). Captain Neuer initially spectacularly prevented the equalizer as a strong support against Kane (76th). The DFB selection is now going into the next game on Saturday (8.45 p.m. / RTL) in Budapest against Hungary with two points.
Flick called his starting XI conversion to seventh position “not a consequence of the Italy game”, but rather justified it as a sensible distribution of the load. “We have four games after a long season,” said the 57-year-old ex-Bayern coach.
Only Neuer, Rüdiger, Kimmich and Müller fixed
Nevertheless, the line-up was a sign that there is only one small untouchable axis with him, consisting of captain Manuel Neuer in goal, defense chief Antonio Rüdiger, boss six Kimmich and Thomas Müller as leader of the offensive. The newcomers to the team also brought in the “intensity” that Flick missed for long stretches in the 1-1 draw against European champions Italy at the start of the Nations League.
Both teams watched and fought each other attentively. The Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande let a lot go, hardly whistled off a duel. There was hardly any room in the center of midfield in particular. The DFB-Elf often tried it via the agile flank runner space.
Penalty areas often remained restricted areas
Ilkay Gündogan was a skilled ball distributor against his Premier League colleagues. Youngster Jamal Musiala also delighted the audience with his smooth movements and courageous dribbles. But England – with ten men left from the 2-0 win in the round of 16 at Wembley a year ago – were massed and often played long balls forward. But the German defense around Rüdiger was good.
The penalty areas often remained restricted areas. When Hofmann ran alone towards England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after a long shot by Nico Schlotterbeck and scored the goal, the video assistant conceded the 1-0 for offside (23rd). Musiala shot too central into Pickford’s arms from 14 meters (45′). Neuer also had to prove his class for the first time, with the 36-year-old parrying a shot from Arsenal striker Bukayo Saka (45′ + 1′) with his right fist.
Hofmann crowns a fine move
Flick’s eleven were rewarded for the more active style of play after the change of sides. Havertz playfully opened up the space in which Kimmich then found Hofmann as a passer, who crowned the fine move with his third goal in the national jersey. Pickford cut a bad figure, punching the ball past. Goalkeeper class, on the other hand, showed Germany’s number 1 a short time later when Neuer parried a powerful shot from Mason Mount with a flying insert. The game went back and forth before Schlotterbeck got in the penalty area and the English equalized.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
