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Four takeaways from Germany's 1-1 UEFA Nations League match with England.
Germany was duped by UEFA officials, and England escaped with a point in a game in which they were clearly outclassed. Here are some observations from the game.
Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 12:19 IST
Hansi Flick's Germany ruled over England.
Gareth Southgate will have to reflect on this game and ask himself, "What on earth just happened?" Despite fielding what was perhaps their best starting XI, England failed to make an impression on the game. Honestly, if Pickford hadn't made several clutch stops, Die Mannschaft should have had more than one goal. The replacement of Jack Grealish was the only true player who appeared to have made an effect for England.
That being said, Hansi Flick should be chastised for the broad rotation of Germany's team and the early withdrawal of Jamal Musiala (who I'll discuss later) and Thomas Müller, who significantly impacted the speed of the game. Leroy Sané was unreliable yet again, and the defence (sans Manuel Neuer) remains a question mark, but lord, if Flick can do this with a squad that is enormously talented but inconsistent, what can he do with a club that is immensely talented but inconsistent? With more games under their belt...keep an eye out for Qatar.
Jamala Musiala is a legend.
Other than Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala is the greatest player on this Germany team. Despite the presence of Müller, Leon Goretzka, and Serge Gnabry, Musiala stands out as the dazzling diamond, and he demonstrated tonight why his decision to play for Germany over England was such an international competition. At the tender age of 19, he is already making an impression for both Germany and Bayern Munich. He's the man to step into Müller's shoes, and one might say he's already got one on.
UEFA officials make an outrageously poor decision.
I feel compelled to emphasise this. The challenge by Harry Kane was not a foul. He was out of position. Even if he had scored, it would have been meaningless. Furthermore, Harry Kane initiated contact with Schlotterbeck, causing a domino effect that resulted in Kane clipping his own legs. How they can so flagrantly disregard their own regulations is absolutely unacceptable at any level, let alone a big international competition.
What's more, the official walked to the video board, saw a response, and then labelled it a penalty. England had no right to take a point from this game, which was comprehensively humiliated by Hansi Flick and a heavily rotated Germany team. Take a look for yourself, because offsides apparently don't matter when it comes to game-changing penalties.
Gareth Southgate will have to reflect on this game and ask himself, "What on earth just happened?" Despite fielding what was perhaps their best starting XI, England failed to make an impression on the game. Honestly, if Pickford hadn't made several clutch stops, Die Mannschaft should have had more than one goal. The replacement of Jack Grealish was the only true player who appeared to have made an effect for England.
That being said, Hansi Flick should be chastised for the broad rotation of Germany's team and the early withdrawal of Jamal Musiala (who I'll discuss later) and Thomas Müller, who significantly impacted the speed of the game. Leroy Sané was unreliable yet again, and the defence (sans Manuel Neuer) remains a question mark, but lord, if Flick can do this with a squad that is enormously talented but inconsistent, what can he do with a club that is immensely talented but inconsistent? With more games under their belt...keep an eye out for Qatar.
Jamala Musiala is a legend.
Other than Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala is the greatest player on this Germany team. Despite the presence of Müller, Leon Goretzka, and Serge Gnabry, Musiala stands out as the dazzling diamond, and he demonstrated tonight why his decision to play for Germany over England was such an international competition. At the tender age of 19, he is already making an impression for both Germany and Bayern Munich. He's the man to step into Müller's shoes, and one might say he's already got one on.
UEFA officials make an outrageously poor decision.
I feel compelled to emphasise this. The challenge by Harry Kane was not a foul. He was out of position. Even if he had scored, it would have been meaningless. Furthermore, Harry Kane initiated contact with Schlotterbeck, causing a domino effect that resulted in Kane clipping his own legs. How they can so flagrantly disregard their own regulations is absolutely unacceptable at any level, let alone a big international competition.
What's more, the official walked to the video board, saw a response, and then labelled it a penalty. England had no right to take a point from this game, which was comprehensively humiliated by Hansi Flick and a heavily rotated Germany team. Take a look for yourself, because offsides apparently don't matter when it comes to game-changing penalties.