What happened to Germany in this World Cup?

It’s fair to say that when you think of the World Cup one of the first countries that pops to mind alongside the likes of Brazil is Germany. Germany have long been a powerhouse of international football. So how can it be that they have failed to even make it out of the group stages in two world cups in a row?

The first line of questioning would usually go to the manager, Hansi Flick, who recently won the Champions League with German giants Bayern Munich. How can it be that such a touted young manager with the world in his hands failed to overcome Japan in order to send his country to knockout stages?

Firstly Hansi Flick’s Bayern side possessed one thing that this current German side doesn’t have and that is Alphonso Davies. The left sided full-back was essential to Flick’s all out attacking system allowing for much needed recovery pace on counter attacks. This was the form of attack they were most susceptible to in the competition and what Japan excelled in.

Beyond not having his pacey Canadian Flick’s Germany side also lacked an essential piece of the puzzle to any successful team not coached by Pep Guardiola and that is a real number nine out and out striker.

There has been a sudden emergence of Fullkrug who is lighting up the Bundesliga this season and also showed the same form for Germany whenever he was allowed on the pitch. But Flick is yet to trust him with Fullkrug only having a handful of caps in his career. This meant the German manager was relying on Kai Havertz to be his talisman. He did have Sane and Gnabry to aid as a goal threat but Germany need that signature Mario Gomez, or Klose type striker to really be a threat.

There is also a clear lack of youth within this German side, beyond Musiala who lit up the tournament, and had to carry Germany on his back at times. There really doesn’t seem to be anyone else coming through to challenge the likes of Gnabry or Sane or Muller. This could have something to say about the current quality of the Bundesliga with the less than optimal seasons the likes of Sule and Schlotterbeck have had, yet they are still able to walk into this team.

Overall the problem comes down to needing a squad refresh, the German National team need to start building archetypal players through the Bundesliga to fill these lacking roles. There is enough quality there to make them a challenger and at the very least semi-finalists in most competitions. They have a manager more than capable that is seen with his club career, and there were also positive signs in their one all draw with Spain, they are just in dire need of the final pieces of the puzzle.

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