World Cup 2018: 5 Things Germany Could Have Done Differently to Escape Humiliation

27th June, 2018 saw the defending champions slump to a humiliating exit at the hands of the Korea Republic. Of the 3 games they played, Germany lost on two occasions. Though Germany did not set the world alight with their pre-world cup performances, they were still expected to come through unscathed from their group.

Germany have kept up with the infamous trend of defending champions falling at the first hurdle. Apart from a late Toni Kroos winner against Sweden, everything went pear-shaped for Germany at this World Cup. Though the results were damaging, it was the manner of the defeats that would have hurt them.

There were a lot of things that went wrong for Germany. Through this article, I would like to look at the things they could have done differently for the Germans to be on the plane to Saint Petersburg rather than the flight back home.

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#1 Picked a younger Squad

Joachim Low

When Joachim Low left Leroy Sane out of his squad, a lot of eyebrows were raised. However, people believed the German team to have enough quality in their ranks to not miss Sane. Low adopted an ‘experience before youth’ approach and the majority of the squad consisted of players who had been part of their triumph in Brazil.

There was a theme common in all of Germany’s games: they seemed to lack the hunger and desire to make the difference. A lot of their play was lethargic and unimaginative. Though they boasted of young guns like Brandt, Goretzka and Sule, they did not get a chance to express themselves. Instead, Low always fell back on the likes of Khedira and Muller to pull them out of trouble.

Low had selected a young squad for the Confederations Cup last year. This squad captured everyone’s imagination with their exhilarating brand of football. Taking this into consideration, Low has a lot of questions to answer.

With the Euro 2020 on the horizon, the German team needs to put this debacle aside and concentrate on developing a new core. It could take a leaf out of the Spanish book and plan on how to re-build their team, keeping their identity intact. The sooner the Germans are able to do this, the earlier they would return to the pinnacle of football.

#2 Played with proper wingers and a lot more width

Leroy Sane

Germany started with a 4-2-3-1 in all of their matches, with Draxler, Reus and Muller trying their luck on the wings. Kimmich and Hector operated as Full Backs, but one found them near the attacking third more than the defensive third. The primary reason was that the Full Backs were entrusted with providing the width. When they got caught high up the pitch, they were left exposed defensively. However, if the German team had played with proper wingers, the story could have been a lot different.

Julian Brandt featured fleetingly throughout the tournament. Though he gave a good account of himself whenever called upon, Low did not consider him for a starting berth. Brandt, is by nature, an old-fashioned winger who likes to go on the outside and whip crosses in. Although he ‘cuts-in’ at times, the frequency is not as high as Draxler or Muller. Whenever Muller and Draxler drifted infield, the Full Backs had to go on the overlap to provide crosses.

A case can also be made for Sane to have been included in the squad. Sane and Brandt possess pace in abundance and this would have led to the defenders backing off. Thus, space would have been created for their creative midfielders to weave their magic and carve out openings.

Though Germany went to Russia with a talented squad, they had players who were cut out from the same cloth. A lack of a ‘Plan B’ hurt them. In overlooking Sane and Brandt, the Germans might just have missed a trick.

#3 The Midfielders could have played more responsibly

Sami Khedira

Khedira partnered Kroos in Central midfield against Korea and Mexico, with Rudy starting against Sweden. Though Khedira is a good player technically, he wasn’t able to play the holding midfielder role to perfection. Khedira primarily functioned as a midfielder who wanted to make the forward runs more than tracking back. With the Full Backs already high up the pitch, it left Kroos and the Central Defenders hopelessly exposed.

Rudy got his chance in the game against Sweden. The signs were promising until an unfortunate injury brought his game to a grinding halt. Kroos and Rudy had started the game well, with Rudy just sitting in front of the back four and providing the ‘screen’. Sweden did not get much joy till he was on the pitch. But once he was replaced by Gundogan, the same deficiencies that surfaced against Mexico came back to haunt them.

While Gundogan and Khedira are superb box to box midfielders, they failed to carry out their defensive duties with aplomb. The story would have been much different for Germany had these midfielders played more responsibly. In Germany’s system, the role of the holding midfielder is paramount since the Full Backs play high and wide. Germany will get exposed time and again if their midfielders fail to carry out their defensive duties.

If they harbor any hopes of winning the Euros, they need to sort out this conundrum quickly.

#4 Played with a ‘Target Man’

Timo Werner

Timo Werner started as the striker in all of Germany’s games. His main attributes are his speed and his ability to get in behind the defence. However, all of Germany’s opponents were content to sit deep and not provide the space in behind for Werner to exploit. It is in these situations where you need your striker to be good at holding up play and bringing the others into the game. Werner could not shoulder this responsibility and this led to Germany’s attack looking toothless most of the time.

More often than not, Mario Gomez was introduced to provide the attack with a focal point. Mario Gomez is not the player he was a few years ago and has lost whatever pace he had. Therefore, it was surprising when he made the squad.

An alternative that Germany could have explored is Sandro Wagner. Wagner has enjoyed a decent run at Bayern Munich as a back-up to Lewandowski. Even for Bayern, he plays the ‘super sub’ role to perfection. He provides another avenue while attacking and gives the defence something to think about. With the amount of crosses that Germany were inclined to play, a better header of the ball was required. Wagner ticks all these boxes.

Low should have taken Wagner to Russia and it would have helped them break down the resolute Koreans and Mexicans. There is nothing that can be done to salvage their Russian adventure, but moving forward, this is something the German think-tank can ponder upon.

#5 Started Ter Stegen ahead of Neuer

Ter Stegen

Manuel Neuer had been out of action since he injured his foot against Real Madrid in the 2016-17 season. After a year out, Neuer came back into the fold and he was slotted into the starting eleven. Though Neuer is a fabulous goalkeeper, he showed signs of rustiness in all the games he played. His positioning was questionable and he could have prevented all but one of the goals he conceded.

Ter Stegen, on the other hand, enjoyed a stellar season at FC Barcelona. He won the La Liga and kept 19 clean sheets in the process. Ter Stegen has similar attributes to Neuer. He is also comfortable on the ball and can play the role of ‘sweeper keeper’.

A case could be made for Ter Stegen to have started, considering the time Neuer had been out of the game for. Though it would not have guaranteed success, this was an option that could have been explored by the Germans. An option that could have painted a different picture for Germany.