Germany, the 'tank corps', recorded a draw in three consecutive A-match games, shattering its pride as the host country of the Euro Games.
Germany was unable to overcome its numerical inferiority and was defeated 0-2 in a friendly match against Austria held at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria on the 22nd (Korean time). 지울프-토토
Currently, European countries are holding qualifying matches to advance to the finals of the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship (Euro 2024), which will be held in June next year, but Germany automatically advanced to the finals as the host country and prepared for the competition by holding friendly matches. .
As this is the first European Championship to be held in the country in 36 years, Germany is aiming to win. With less than a year left until the tournament, Germany has even brought out the card of replacing their coach, but their anxiety has been heightened by a series of disappointing performances in recent international matches.
On this day, the away team, Germany, used a 4-2-3-1 pattern. Kevin Trapp wore the goalkeeper's gloves, and Kai Havertz, Antonio Rudiger, Mats Hummels and Jonathan Ta made up the back four. The third line was defended by Leon Goretzka and Ilkay Gundogan, and the second line featured Serge Gnabry, Julian Brandt, and Leroy Janet. Niklas Füllkruk was named as the top player in the front line.
The home team, Austria, faced 4-3-3. Alexander Schlager guarded the goal, while Philippe Mbene, David Alaba, Philippe Linhardt and Stefan Poch formed the back four. Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seibald, and Christoph Baumgartner worked together in midfield, while Marcel Sabitzer, Michael Gregoritsch, and Konrad Reimer aimed at the German goal at the front line.
Germany once again used striker Havertz (Arsenal) as left full-back following the friendly match against Turkiye on the 19th. Havertz, who made a surprising transformation into a defender, attracted attention by scoring the first goal in the 6th minute of the first half, even though the team lost 2-3 to Turkiye.
Germany, who had suffered an upset loss in the match against Turku at home, tried to turn things around with a win away to Austria, but got off to a bad start by giving up the first goal in the 29th minute of the first half.
During an Austrian counterattack, Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), who was on the left side, caught the ball and slowly entered the box. Seeing an opportunity, Sabitzer fired a right-footed shot toward the near post, which hit the net and led to Austria's first goal. The shooting speed was so fast that German goalkeeper Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt) could not even react properly.
Germany recorded a 62% possession rate in the first half and had a lot of time in possession of the ball, but had fewer shots than Austria at 3 to 6. With only one effective shot, Germany was unable to tie the score and ended the first half tied 0-1.
As the second half began, Germany changed their attack by replacing Führkruk and inserting Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), but before the change could be felt, Jaune (Bayern Munich) was sent off and faced a crisis.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Jaune collided with Austrian fullback Mbene (Mainz) and fell, immediately leading to a war of nerves. At this time, Mbene pushed you with his body, but at that moment, you were unable to control your emotions and pushed Mbene's face with your hand, causing him to fall.
Because you intentionally hit the player in the face, the referee wasted no time in giving you a red card and ordering you to be sent off. Mbene, who had a war of nerves with you, also received a warning.
Germany, who were outnumbered in a situation where they were being dragged, tried their best to score an equalizer, but Austria added one more goal in the 28th minute of the second half, breaking Germany's will to chase after them.
The offensive development, which started with a pass from Austrian captain Alaba (Real Madrid) from the back, continued as Gregoritsch (SC Freiburg), who caught the ball, passed it to Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), who was rushing into the box. Baumgartner, who was faced with a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper while beating the defender with perfect team play, calmly cut the net with a chip shot over the goalkeeper's key, increasing the score to two goals.
In the end, Germany was unable to overcome their numerical inferiority and did not score a single goal, ending their trip to Austria with a 0-2 loss.
Due to the loss against Austria, Germany recorded a draw (1 draw, 2 losses) in their last 3 consecutive international matches. After a 2-2 draw with Mexico in a friendly match last October, their pride as the host nation of the Euros was dented by two consecutive losses to Türkiye and Austria.
After suffering a 1-4 defeat at home to Japan during the international match last September, Germany began to revamp its atmosphere by firing coach Hansi Flick and appointing coach Julian Nagelsmann about nine months before the opening of the Euro Tournament. After coach Flick was fired, Germany seemed to be in good spirits by defeating France 2-1 and also winning 3-1 in the United States.
However, immediately after failing to achieve even a single win in three international matches, a red light was turned on in their bid to win the European Championship. With about seven months left until the opening of the competition, attention is being paid to how Germany's 'tank corps' will overcome the current crisis.