Germany 1-1 Denmark: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Ominous signs for Germany ahead of the Euros. The tactics were all wrong, and the players looked out of sorts. Even adding the Chelsea players and Goretzka to this mess won’t fix things, the fundamental issue is the coach.
• The back-three just sucks. It doesn’t even help the team defend. Why do coaches insist on it? Switch back to a 4-2-3-1 please.
• It’s obvious that Jogi Low isn’t following the Bayern blueprint. There was no pressing, no striker, and the team setup was completely wrong. He has to change something drastic to prevent a humiliating group stage exit at the Euros.

Full time: Germany 1-1 Denmark.

70’ — Goal. Poulsen makes it 1-1 from an incredible pass by Eriksen.

47’ — GOAL! Neuhaus makes it 1-0 early in the second half! That’s more like it!

45’ — The second half is underway! Let’s hope for more excitement in this half.

Halftime observations and analysis:

• This looks nothing like Bayern Munich. Some might say Germany have been methodical, but I’d call them slow. They’ve created a few chances, but the attacking cohesion is simply nonexistent. Meanwhile, the pressing is dire and the midfield can’t control the game. Jogi, this ain’t it.
• The defense hasn’t been troubled, which actually raises the question why Low has opted for a back-three in this game. None of these players (except Gosens and Klostermann) play in a back-three for the club level, and the midfielders look especially confused on whether to push up or drop back.
• Germany need one more attacker on the pitch. Just three isn’t cutting it — Muller, Sane, and Gnabry look good combining with each other, but they’re being stifled easily by the Danish defense. Adding someone to create more space will help the Germans do more up front.

Halftime — The teams are 0-0.

Kickoff: We’re underway in Innsbruck!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! It’s not a perfect approximation of the potential Euro XI because Goretzka and the Chelsea players aren’t included, but it could give us an idea of the tactics.

With the Euros set to start in little over a week from now, Germany need some amount of game time together to get ready for the tournament.

While the team has a huge number of Bayern Munich players in the side, it’s not enough to fill out an XI. Per reports, Joachim Low wants to switch to the high-pressing attacking style that made Hansi Flick so successful last year at the club level. To that end, the Germans have to make the most of the time before the tournament to get as much practice in the style as possible.

It’ll be especially interesting to see how the attack will be set up. Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, and Leroy Sane will almost surely start — but will anyone join them? Will it be a 4-2-3-1 with a front four, or a 4-3-3 like Low is used to? Will there be a striker, or will Gnabry be up top? Will Muller be in the middle or out wide? We expect to see answers to all that and more in this game.

Match Info

Location: Tivoli Stadion Tirol, Innsbruck, Austria

Time: 9:00 pm local time, 3:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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