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

#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.