The descent is sealed, insignificant the last Nations-League-group game of the German national football team on Monday against the Elftal. For Thomas Müller, a special anniversary to celebrate.
“The Netherlands will sink France, but wines to the Germans, the forced descent. For German football, the Zero hour strikes.” The Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport commented on the crash of the German national football team in the European second-class citizens. “You would have never thought that you will experience something of a change: Germany is rising! It is a messed up year for the team of Joachim Löw,” says the Spanish daily Marca. And the French Ouest France explains: “The second cold shower for ‘the team’ after the world Cup: relegation to the 2. League.”
The Status and loss of image for the success-drenched DFB and its professionals a completely new feeling: “I’ve just been told that we have in the team apart from Jonas Hector, yet none of them has made the experience to descend,” said midfielder Leon Goretzka: “it doesn’t feel naturally good.” And national team Director Oliver Bierhoff said that the descent of the “nerve” and was “frustrating”, but admitted: “We need to pack to your nose. We’ve brought yourself in this Position.”
In the overall table, the DFB needs to catch up-Team
Now it is time for the DFB-Team at least have a good appearance in the Prestige duel against arch-rival the Netherlands on Monday in Gelsenkirchen (20:30 in the DW audio stream) for a conciliatory conclusion – and in a good position for the draw for the European championship qualification (02.12.2018). Because in order to get a supposedly easier group, the German national team in the overall table of all A-groups, at least two Teams behind. Currently, the Löw-team a point, but only the Penultimate.
Exciting will be, who is national coach Joachim Löw. He continues to focus on the motivated young player like Kai Havertz and Thilo Kehrer, most recently in the test match against Russia? Toni Kroos and Mats Hummels will not be sitting, unlike against Russia – this time on the bench. How about Thomas Müller – granted Löw him during his possible 100. Countries game a started use?
On Saturday morning against Russia protected Marco Reus (medium fußprellung) and the hurt replaced Jonas Hector (sprained jump while guided) when Training on the RB Leipzig-site. Julian Draxler, however, is missing after a bereavement in the family, even against the Oranje. “After a year, that didn’t go good for all of us, we want to present ourselves once again of our good side,” says defensive player sweeper.
But actually, it is mentally already in the next year. The upheaval of the national coach wants to continue, according to Bierhoff. “He has the desire to tackle new things and to set new impulses.” The target is defined by Löw clear: “Our view is directed in the direction of the European Championships 2020, which we will qualify, and we have a strong team to the tournament want to send.”
swIhf (dpa, sid)