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In 2014, Germany lifted the World Cup for the fourth time and signalled their intention to dominate the footballing circuit for years to come. Though a Confederations Cup victory in 2017 followed, things turned sour soon after with their acrimonious group stage exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
After the culmination of the World Cup, Joachim Low’s men also contrived to get relegated from Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League, thus, setting the alarm bells ringing in the German camp.
In response, Low decided to omit three of Germany’s greatest servants namely Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller. The trio formed a vital part of their success in the mid-2010s and hence, their sudden exclusion caused more than a furrowed brow or two.
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Ever since Low’s controversial decision, the jury has been out on whether the German’s ruthlessness is indeed the right tonic to cure Germany of its current ailments.
Thus, through the course of this article, we would weigh in on the debate and chalk out three reasons why the manager’s decision would be profitable in the larger scheme of things.
#3. Germany’s methods have been found out
A few years ago, Germany’s blend of possession football and dynamism had captured the imagination of the world. Their trait of keeping the ball for long periods and methodically picking holes in the opposition’s defence bore fruit.
However, the 2018 World Cup and the UEFA Nations League that followed showed that teams had found an answer to the questions the Germans usually posed.
Sides started deploying deep defensive lines against Germany which nullified the latter’s threat in behind the defence. Moreover, opposition allowed the Germans time on the ball and let them build play slowly. Teams weren’t inclined to press them high unless necessary and rather concentrated on maintaining their shape.
Thus, Muller’s propensity to cut in-field didn’t aid their case as the forward’s one-dimensional play was spectacularly found wanting.
Inevitably, Germany was forced to try expansive offensive methods and it left them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Hummels and Boateng’s lack of pace was hopelessly exposed in the defensive third as opponents found joy in quick turnovers.
The more worrying aspect though was that Germany was unable to come up with new formulae for success with the existing personnel.
Hence, the decision with respect to the players had to be made sooner rather than later. And with Euro 2020 still a year and a half away, Low has provided the incumbent players with ample time to bed in.
After all, the bravery shown in 2019 could yet end up helping Germany bury the ghosts of 2018 in 2020.
#2. Germany’s exciting breed of youngsters
Low’s decision to drop three of Germany’s lynchpins caused ripples throughout the footballing fraternity. However, with the exciting young talent at his disposal, one can hardly blame him.
In the recently concluded game against the Netherlands, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry manned the flanks superbly and contributed a goal apiece. While the former opened the scoring, the latter brilliantly curled a second past Jasper Cilessen.
Their directness caused the Dutch problems throughout the game and with Germany’s lackadaisicalness a major criticism last year, the right way forward could just be to adopt a quicker build-up plan.
Apart from the duo, the likes of Kai Havertz, Jonathan Tah and Thilo Kehrer have come off age this term.
Additionally, the presence of these players has brought back a feel-good factor to the German ranks. The enthusiasm of the young starlets coupled with their fearlessness on the ball has been refreshing to watch. Moreover, the inclusion of the youngsters has been a breath of fresh air for a team that smacked of staleness in 2018.
Thus, Low might just have pulled a rabbit out of the hat by letting go of his experienced players. And if his youthful devils are able to muster something substantial at the Euro next summer, not many would be left questioning his tactics.
#1. Emphasis on form over reputation
Joachim Low made a mistake of historic proportions at last year’s World Cup when he decided to leave Leroy Sane at home. Germany missed the pace of the Manchester City star in the attacking third and with Sane being more of an attack-minded winger, things could have been different for Die Mannschaft.
Nearly a year on, Low seems to have learnt from his World Cup blunders, which is not restricted to leaving out Sane alone.
For the ongoing round of international fixtures, the German manager emphasised form over reputation with several players included over their more illustrious compatriots.
Sane, Gnabry, Kehrer, Sule, Schulz and Rudiger were all rewarded for their efficient displays. The said players gave a good account of themselves and repaid the faith their manager had shown in them.
The debate on when form can trump reputation and vice versa is one that can rage deep into the night. Yet, Low, courtesy his recent team selection has made it evidently clear that he believes in the former more than the latter.
Thus, inculcating a culture that no player is bigger than the team and if footballers can’t back up their high profile with performances, they would be thrown by the wayside.
And while Low might be getting panned for his treatment of Hummels, Boateng and Muller, the new team culture could just place them in better stead to challenge for Euro 2020.
