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Die Mannschaft played their final two matches of 2018 in half-filled arenas. Neither Red Bull Arena and nor Veltins Arena were sold out for Germany’s Nations League matches against Russia and Netherlands, and thus the atmosphere wasn’t really great in either of the matches. According to Sport1, only about 38,000 people visited the two international matches. As another year is on the horizon, the Germans hope to find a way to bring back the mood in the stadiums.
After their game against the Netherlands, Toni Kroos felt that the atmosphere “had been better” in the past. Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus likewise commented that there was “very little” atmosphere at the match.
Oliver Bierhoff’s recent comments about everything regarding the national team make us believe that he’s the most optimistic person in the world. He is totally sanguine about the national team’s future. While everyone thinks that the support from the fans wasn’t enough, Bierhoff begs to differ:
You can tell that the fans have the year in their bones. We noticed it already in Leipzig. I think it’s good, though, that so many came on Monday evening.
Thomas Müller, who is very well used to playing in sold-out stadiums, said that the team is doing their best to put the bad days behind them and it is up to the fans to show up and support the team. He said that the team has been doing its part to be close to the fans:
The fans have to come along and try to support us. After the World Cup, we’ve tried to change some things, including working with the fans and being close to them. We really worked hard in all the games and busted our butts. I think you could see that. The fans can also take part again.
What’s next for Die Mannschaft?
The Germans will find out who their group-stage opponents for the Euro ‘20 qualifications are on December 2nd. The qualifiers will begin in March 2019. Timo Werner promised the fans that there won’t be a repetition of 2018 in the coming years:
In 2019 and 2020, whoever wants to can come. It will be a different Germany than in 2018.