Germany’s Worst Start to World Cup Qualification
Germany’s trip to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada began with the worst start when Julian Nagelsmann’s team suffered a deserved 2-0 loss against Slovakia in Bratislava. Almost three months after the disappointment of the Nations League, Germany looked out of shape and kind. They had never lost a qualification game of the World Cup this evening. The story had been written, but not the way Nagelsmann wanted.
Lack of Performance in All Areas
"We still have to convince the public, but I would like to emphasize again that it is healthy to score goals," said head coach Julian Nagelsmann before the game. The goal of world champion remains, but the focus is on the process. Germany’s performance against Slovakia now made its goals more high than in June. Germany looked fatal and was very lucky to cover only one goal during the break. When David Strelec had made Antonio Rüdigiger out and doubled the guidance of the hosts, Germany looked like a boxer who had been 12 laps.
The problem is that the new domestic football season just started. Germany’s two leading attackers – Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz – Have just moved a combined transmission value of € 210 million ($ 245). And Nagelsmann has been responsible for two years. In short, this performance is somewhat inexplicable. Before the game, Nagelsmann spoke of a task list for his team during the qualification. It included an efficient possession, winning the ball sources, and reducing the number of great opportunities that the opposition has.
Jonathan Tah effectively admitted that these three editions were what was not in Germany: "In all areas [we were lacking] When we lost the ball with the ball, we were missing defensively when we no longer have the connection to the game. It was a very weak performance from us."
Nagelsmann Complains of Lack of Emotions
"It was a surprise for us that the game was going," said Tah afterwards. All about it was a surprise, but maybe that was the lack of drive in Germany. "The first five to six minutes of the second half were a little lighter, but the rest was very dark," said a visibly frustrated Nagelsmann afterwards. "Emotionally, our opponents were better for miles than we were," he continued. "If we don’t manage to find this emotion, you can close the book."
Germany’s head coach said that the team would talk about the problems with each other, but emphasized that every player had to enter every game with the intention and drive of a semi-final of the Champions League. "We don’t have to talk about the system or tactics," captain Joshua Kimmich. "This is about thinking, which was the problem in the last games."
Namdi Collins – A Disappointing Debut
Since Nagelsmann is now permanently moving Kimmich into midfield, Germany’s right deficit can be gained. Enter Namdi Collins, Eintracht Frankfurt’s versatile 21-year-old defender who came on stage. But Collins had a hard night at his international debut in Bratislava. His attack companies did not agree with a dangerous delivery, and defensive he tried to curb 19-year-old Leo Sauer on the left who said that Nagelsmann was the man of the game.
If this was the night to make an assertion, Collins couldn’t do this and was thrilled during the break. Since Maximilian Mittelstädt was right to the right and Collins’ replacement David Daum left, Collins had a disappointing night, but was also part of a poor collective performance. Questions are asked why Kimmich was not moved to the right, but in the end this was a memory that Germany’s long-standing Wingback problem seems to be solved far away.
Next Match
The Germany’s qualification campaign in Germany will continue against Northern Ireland in Cologne on Sunday.
