The German National Team finished their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign on Tuesday, with the lone blemish coming in a September defeat to the Netherlands. The final two victories over Belarus and Northern Ireland ensured a first-place finish in Group C. While the squad is superb in its midfield and offensive thirds, with a plethora of rising and established stars, inconsistencies and strange managerial decisions within the defence are holding the team back. Dating back to before the 2018 World Cup, the same defensive line has not started two consecutive matches for Germany.<\/p>\n
After the embarrassment in the summer of 2018 at the Russia World Cup, Die Mannschaft have continued to leak goals, conceding seven in their four Nations League matches, and six in two qualification matches against the Netherlands. The Germany defence that carried them to World Cup glory in 2014 is now a distant memory. Joachim L\u00f6w made some dramatic changes in 2019, possibly overcompensating for mistakes he made throughout 2018.<\/p>\n
In Russia, L\u00f6w did not put out the same back four in any of Germany\u2019s three group matches. Against Mexico, Joshua Kimmich<\/a>, Jerome Boateng<\/a>, Mats Hummels<\/a>, and Marvin Plattenhardt<\/a> were on the team sheet. With the help of Hirving Lozano<\/a>, Mexico took all three points, exposing Hummels and Boateng for pace in dramatic fashion.<\/p>\n In response, L\u00f6w made some defensive changes, dropping Hummels for Antonio R\u00fcdiger<\/a> against Sweden. R\u00fcdiger\u2019s nervy start was overshadowed by Boateng\u2019s infamous performance. The Berlin native made a foul in the penalty area during the first half that should have been given and he was then sent off late in the match. Against South Korea, the defence saw more unforced changes as L\u00f6w dropped R\u00fcdiger for Niklas S\u00fcle<\/a>, while Hummels came in for the suspended Boateng. There was a total lack of consistency throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n The poor form of Germany’s defence continued into the Nations League as Boateng and Hummels continued to play. In 2019, L\u00f6w told the two veterans that their days with the national team were done,<\/a> no matter their club form. He felt it was time for them to get out of the way and make room for the youth. This is where L\u00f6w overcompensated for not having done that in 2018. Boateng had no business in the starting 11 during or after the World Cup. S\u00fcle should have taken his place, but the finality of L\u00f6w\u2019s decision was shortsighted and unnecessary.<\/p>\n In 2019, L\u00f6w began tinkering with a back three consisting of S\u00fcle, R\u00fcdiger, Matthias Ginter<\/a>, and Jonathan Tah<\/a> of Bayer Leverkusen as the backup. For the most part, it has worked, except against the Netherlands, where Germany conceded six goals in two qualification matches. The reality, however, is that other than against the Netherlands, the newly formed defence has not been truly tested against a high-level opponent.<\/p>\n L\u00f6w overreacted by outright banning Hummels. Pride may have to now be set aside because S\u00fcle could miss this summer\u2019s European Championship. The new leader of the German defence is out, requiring a veteran of Hummels\u2019 status to be brought back. While Ginter and R\u00fcdiger are well-seasoned defenders, they are not yet at the level required to build a world-class defence around. Hummels is vastly experienced and respected by the other German players, and even if he does not start most games, his presence would make a monumental difference.<\/p>\n Ginter and R\u00fcdiger should start most matches, but in a back three, Tah is too inconsistent to rely on. Niklas Stark<\/a> of Hertha Berlin made his Germany debut against Northern Ireland, while Robin Koch<\/a> of SC Freiburg is another option, but Hummels is the ideal candidate for the third slot left open by S\u00fcle\u2019s absence. It is easy to forget that the Dortmund defender is only 30-years-old.<\/p>\n Whatever decision L\u00f6w makes with Germany’s defence, it is paramount that he comes up with a back three that consistently play together, cultivating a true identity. While S\u00fcle is injured, a back three of Ginter, R\u00fcdiger, and Hummels could work well, with Tah, Stark, and Koch as rotational players. If not, L\u00f6w can always revert to a back four of Kimmich, Ginter, R\u00fcdiger, and Hector.<\/p>\n The pieces are all there for Germany\u2019s defence to once again become world-class. Kimmich is already one of Europe\u2019s best right-backs, while Jonas Hector<\/a> has proven himself to not just be a reliable left-back, but a loyal one as well, staying at FC K\u00f6ln during last season\u2019s foray in Bundesliga 2. The question remains whether L\u00f6w will stick with the back three and his decision regarding Hummels. There are a plethora of up-and-coming centre-backs that can form a strong defence with Kimmich and Hector as the wing-backs.<\/p>\n The subject of consistency was much different in the 2014 World Cup. From the quarter-final onward, L\u00f6w put out the same back four of Philipp Lahm<\/a>, Hummels, Boateng, and Benedikt H\u00f6wedes<\/a>. The defence conceded just two goals during the knockout stages in Brazil. Per Mertesacker<\/a> and Shkodran Mustafi<\/a> were the squad players, both playing from the start in some matches, but consistency in defence was key. L\u00f6w needs to restore such solidity if Germany are to have any chance at this summer\u2019s European Championship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Main Photo<\/p>\nBig Changes Came in 2019<\/h3>\n
Consistency Will be Key<\/h3>\n