England 3 - 3 Germany: Initial reactions and observations

Initial Reactions and Observations

• For a game with pathetic performances by both sides, it was a highly entertaining one. Both teams were poor and only shone in moments. England were never really threatening Germany but Germany just look clueless.
• A fantastic goalkeeping performance, deputizing in the place of Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre Ter Stegan had a brilliant game today. It was particularly his save towards the final minutes of the game denying Bukayo Saka that really showcased his quality. He seems to have undone himself of his previous critiques and really stepped up his game.
• In the dying minutes of the game, Gnabry and Havertz truly saved Germany. Though they did not really have spectacular performances, they provided the necessary final output and that matters more. Musiala and Gundogan were fantastic in their outings too. Timo Werner is simply not hitting the mark.
• It is beyond my comprehension as to why Thilo Kehrer starts for Germany. He is simply not upto the mark. I’m sure Germany can do better than him at the right-back position.
• Joshua Kimmich needs to stop exerting himself by starting every game – he’s looked only subpar today in most instances. Muller received a much-needed break and so must Kimmich in an upcoming fixture.
• The lack of a “focal point” in attack is really hurting Germany. Hansi needs to take a long look in the mirror and figure out a new set of tactics and a squad of higher quality than this one by November — this team is quite literally getting nowhere if these types of performances are standard.

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90+6’ — Full time! England 3-3 Germany.

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87’ — GOAL! Kai Havertz scores the much needed third goal of the night for Germany making it 3-3.

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84’ — A call on Schlotterbeck gives England a penalty, which is netted by Harry Kane. 3-2 to England.

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79’ — Substitution! Thomas Muller makes his way onto the pitch replacing Musiala. Sane leaves, making way for Gnabry and Gosens replaces Raum.

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75’ — 2-2. Mason Mount makes his presence seen after being subbed on and makes the scorelines even.

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71’ — Oh no. Luke Shaw makes it 1-2 for England.

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67’ — GOAL! After some fantastic work by Musiala, Kai Havertz makes it 2-0 for Germany and Werner bags the assist.

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52’ — After a harsh tackle on Musiala by Harry Maguire, Germany get a penalty and Gundogan scores to make it 1-0 for Germany.

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45’ — The second half is underway! Flick subs in Timo Werner for Jonas Hoffman.

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Halftime observations and analysis

• This half has been just uninspiring from Germany. Tactically, the team is simply not clicking at all and the lack of a true number 9 is making things look ugly for the team.
• Misplaced passing has been the common theme for every German player on the pitch today. If Germany keep up with this godawful passing, even England in their not-so-good outing so far could potentially take away all three points. They have shown flashes of ability and have looked dangerous on occasions.
• As far as positions go, defense has been ok so far; midfield, just not it and attack, simply clueless. Even Musiala doesn’t look too sharp. Something needs to change in the second half.

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25’ — Germany need to develop a bit of urgency and keep their eyes open. England have shown some promise so far.

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: Lineups! Hansi Flick decides to start Marc-Andre ter Stegen at goal. Of course, Jamal Musiala at attack is much-needed — the kid has to shine against his former team now. In the absence of Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan starts in midfield along with an arm-band clad Joshua Kimmich. The backline featuring David Raum, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule and Thilo Kehrer can look to have a lot of work to do — ter Stegan is no Neuer after all.

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It looks like both Bayern Munich and Germany have some underlying problems for their coaches to figure out. With no striker up top, it looks like neither side are capable of breaking down defenses and scoring goals lately. Then again the same can be said about England, for wholly different reasons.

Gareth Southgate is a coach under pressure. His England side have failed to score a single non-penalty goal in this year’s edition of the Nations League. If Germany can’t beat them, then things will have officially hit a new low. Lets hope that a team with the likes of Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and co. won’t meet such an ignominious fate.

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Match Info

Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 2:45 pm EST

TV/streaming: Find Your Country

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