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Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Update
Werner forgives free in front of the door
DFB-Elf embarrassed against North Macedonia
Hardly any pressure, missed chances, conceding a late goal – the German soccer team lost to North Macedonia because they left a lot of opportunities in the first half. After that, the DFB team failed to pass and were embarrassed in Jogi Löw’s last World Cup qualifying match.
Joachim Loew groaned and cursed. Another shameful bankruptcy has nipped the tender optimism of the German team in the bud. In the surprising 1: 2 (0: 1) of the last European Championship against a flagrant underdog North Macedonia, the outgoing national coach conceded a World Cup qualifying defeat for the first time in his 33rd and final match. His successor is under immediate pressure despite the initial two victories in September.
“That must not happen,” said substitute captain İlkay Gündoğan on RTL: “It seemed that North Macedonia was twice in front of our goal and scored twice, it was too easy.” North Macedonia striker oldie Goran Pandev (45 + 1) surprised Löw and his team in the last international match before the EM nomination at the end of May. After a foul on Leroy Sané, Gündoğan equalized with a penalty (63.). But Eljif Elmas (85th) answered for the number 65 in the world. Timo Werner had previously missed the great opportunity to take the lead (80th). With a hand from Emre Can (76th) in his own penalty area, the DFB team was also very lucky.
A spur for Löw’s last mission to EM in the summer looks very different. After that, on the now more arduous road to Qatar 2022, on September 5 there will be a duel with the new leader of Group J, Armenia. Before the game in Duisburg, the DFB-Elf impressed with another message for human rights: Professionals gathered behind a banner with the black, red and gold inscription “Wir für 30”, a renewed reference to the 30 articles of the United Nations. declaration of human rights. DFB President Fritz Keller applauded in the stands.
“Speed, speed!” – But nothing happened
But the good humor quickly disappeared. From the RTL study, expert Uli Hoeneß Löw asked his “boys” to tell his “boys” after the usury of opportunities in Romania (1-0) that “the winter program at the Krone circus has ended and it’s about goals, not stunts. ” That would not have been the worst remedy against the poisonous North Macedonians. Leon Goretzka hit the crossbar early (ninth), but the opponent soon adapted well to the game of the German right wing. Sané should turn on this side, Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz generally acted centrally. Robin Gosens, along with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the second new member of the team, was left alone.
That was not the correct game system against the massive 5-3-2 of the guests. There was also a lack of bright ideas and the opening goes deep into the depths, this time Havertz clearly fell over. The moments of change were not played with enough consistency, it was not possible to go through the middle. Good chances were rare, Gnabry (27 and 31) missed two more. North Macedonia was getting more brazen by the minute, and Neuer’s representative Ter Stegen warned loudly about Pandev: “Be careful with the 10!” He was still there for a tricky free kick from Ezgjan Alioski (40th). But when the captain of the “red lions” appeared completely free in front of him, Ter Stegen was defeated.
The DFB-Elf looked “tired” to Hoeneß, after the break, Löw vehemently demanded “Speed, speed!” – and reacted after another ten tenacious minutes with a double change: Werner and Amin Younes came in for Havertz and Gosens. But it was Sané who got 911 without anyone’s help. In the hectic final phase, Löw pushed his team forward again and again. But they barely lagged behind the narrowly staggered chain of North Macedonians, and the penalty area scenes were rare as well.
