World Cup 2018: 3 things Germany has to do if they do not want to crash out in the group stage

The curse of the defending champions at the World Cup continued its run, as after Italy lost their 2010 WC opener and Spain lost their 2014 WC opener, it was the turn of the Germans to bit the dust against Mexico.

The fans of the German team have no reason to celebrate for the next 6 days to come, as there was not a single positive to take away from the game for them.

Sure, Neuer starting is great, but if the positive from a game is that your keeper 'started', you do not deserve to be the favorites.

Note that this could just be a minor setback, and Germany could win their next several matches and even take the cup. But that does not mean that they weren't poor today and that we shouldn't take them to the cleaners.

That said, here are 3 things Germany has to do if they do not want to embarrassingly crash out in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup:

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#1 Start Marco Reus

Why is this even a discussion? Reus has to start and that is that.

Come on. That should not even be a point of discussion. It is a no-brainer, really.

Not a single person was expecting that Joachim Low would leave Reus out for the crucial game against Mexico, but that is exactly what he did. He chose to put the Borussia Dortmund star on the bench, and instead went with Draxler.

When Low left Sane out of the squad, the only reason people thought it was because Reus would be starting anyway, and with Draxler as a back-up, Sane would not be needed.

But, if it is a question between Draxler - who was a partial starter for PSG, or Sane - who had his best season at Manchester City, it can only be Sane.

Again, I cannot stress how unnecessary this whole Sane or Draxler debate is. IT SHOULD BE REUS, AND REUS ONLY.

The impact of the attack as soon as he came on from the bench was enough proof of how the tactic failed, and why he has to be part of the team from the get-go.

Low, in case you are reading this: Please start Reus.

#2 Play an actual defensive midfielder

The Kroos-Khedira partnership wasn't as successful on the pitch as it was on paper

Who knew playing Kroos and Khedira, two defensive midfielders who are more concentrated on the midfielder part of the title rather than on the defensive part together might not work out so great at the end?

Kroos has never had to defend ever during his time at Real Madrid, and that is not what he is known for anyway. Khedira, during his time at Juventus, is more defensive oriented, but still prone to the occasional run forwards.

Against Mexico however, it was just free real estate ahead for the pacey Mexicans and they made sure they used every inch of it.

Far too often, Kroos and Khedira were occupied up front with only Hummels and Boateng covering. No matter how good the defenders are, two players are no match against 3 or 4 or even 5 marauding Mexicans.

The other major option - Gundogan, is not known for his defensive prowess either and will not provide that kind of cover.

The only way is to play Rudy, who is one of Bayern's most solid players, and hope that the creative force is enough to do damage while Rudy sorts out the defense.

Joachim Low, if you are reading this: Please start Marco Reus.

#3 Tell Joshua Kimmich that he is not the striker

Maybe having your right back play all over the pitch is not such a good option?

Now, Kimmich might be the most promising Bayern Munich player of his generation and that he is a force going forward for the team, but he needs to understand that he is a right back on the team sheet, and there is someone else in there marked under striker.

The number of times Joshua Kimmich stormed down the right-hand flank, ignore Muller, passed the ball to Ozil, then moved to the left, collected the ball from Draxler, ran in behind Timo Werner and then had a weak shot loosely targetted at the goal were too much to consider appropriate.

Kimmich might be considered the heir to Lahm, but Lahm's throne was not built on goals and assists. It was built with blood and sweat, not giving an inch of space to attackers no matter how fast or strong they were, and actually passing it to the teammates when needed.

Joachim Low, if you are reading this: Please. Start. Marco. Reus.