Germany’s Return to Form
In many ways, it was fitting for head coach Julian Nagelsmann that just when Germany needed to get back on track, they returned to where it all began. In Sinsheim, Nagelsmann made history when he became the youngest Bundesliga coach of all time in 2016 at the age of 28. Almost a decade later, after stints at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, Nagelsmann’s Germany delivered the expected and demanded performance.
Dominant Display
Thanks to Luxembourg playing with ten men for an hour after an early red card, Germany dominated the 96th best team in the world. The fight was over before it began, and Nagelsmann’s charges didn’t care. That’s exactly what the proverbial doctor ordered. “The red card was good for us, but when we lost the ball we were ready,” said a player afterwards.
Tactical Adjustments
Captain Joshua Kimmich was moved to the right-back as Nagelsmann perhaps conceded that his insistence on having Kimmich in midfield had put them in a worrying position. When asked where he would most like to play, Kimmich said calmly: "I don’t care. I will play where the coach needs me." Serge Gnabry’s renaissance continues and Florian Wirtz appeared to be a player unbothered by critical headlines.
A Noticeable Improvement
“As far as our hunger is concerned, that was a noticeable improvement,” Nagelsmann said afterwards. "Serge was a great example of how to chase back after losing the ball. Against Luxembourg, hitting back and making a tackle like that is exactly what you need." Perhaps the most important takeaway from the evening was the margin of victory. A 4-0 win will greatly help Germany in their bid to regain top spot.
Answering the Critics
The truth is that even before the early red card, enthusiasm for the big tournament qualifiers in early October is low among even the most passionate football fans. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side desperately need these games after they had a difficult start to World Cup qualifying, losing to Slovakia in the opening game. The win against Northern Ireland did not stop Germany’s sporting director from recently telling the press that the team needed to win back the credit it had with its fans after recently squandering it.
Consolidating the Lead
In short, there is tension in German football at the moment, and none of it feels ideal in the run-up to the biggest World Cup of all time. In the history of Germany’s World Cup next year, a 4-0 victory over Luxembourg will hardly be remembered as a turning point. But for a team that has struggled to live up to expectations of late, this was a very welcome evening. Now they have to consolidate their lead in Belfast on Monday evening.
