Mexico 2-2 Germany: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• So the winning streak is cut short rather quickly. Germany might consider themselves lucky to come out of this unscathed, as Mexico played a high intensity game that easily could’ve taken all three (metaphorical) points in the second half. Julian Nagelsmann will be worried by what he saw after making subs, as none of the substitutes aside from Niclas Füllkrug managed to have any positive impact.
• Bayern Munich fans will hope Leon Goretzka survived this game without any serious issues. Joshua Kimmich is sick right now so if Goretzka has to be sidelined as well, then the club ends up with a single fit midfielder.
• Going strikerless wasn’t the right idea but it wasn’t a bad idea either. Germany seemed a lot more patient and settled in the 1st half playing without a striker than they did in the 2nd when they had one. It comes back to the debate of control vs chaos. For now, Nagelsmann has managed to limit the chaos to only some sections of the games, but the level of control remains lacking.
• With the state of the German fullback situation, Joshua Kimmich may need to return to right-back. Groß and Gündogan have formed a solid partnership over the course of this break so there’s really no need for Josh to play in midfield right now.
• Despite everything that’s changed, Germany remain unceasingly fragile at the back.

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Full time: Mexico 2-2 Germany.

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89’ — Leon Goretzka is down injured. He’s basically 50% of Bayern Munich’s remaining midfield.

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51’ — GOOOOOOOOOAL! Füllkrug makes it 2-2!

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47’ — Goal. Mexico make it 2-1 right after halftime.

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45’ — The second half is underway! Groß and Müller are subbed out for Goretzka and Füllkrug.

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Germany started the game well, but scoring the goal seemed to torpedo the team’s mentality. Mexico immediately took over the momentum and while the goal itself was an instance of poor defending, the last 20 minutes of the first half were extremely mediocre from the Germans.
• Having FOUR attacking midfielders all interchanging on the pitch seems like a fine idea in theory, but in practice it’s confusing for the players and not helping the team get shots on goal.
• Mexico have proven to be much tougher opponents than the USMNT so far. Much more drilled at the back and actually have some ideas in attack.
• This may be the best performance Gündogan has ever had for Germany. Easy MotM if you only count this first half.
• Ter Stegen is never beating the “ter Standing” allegations.

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Halftime: Mexico 1-1 Germany.

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37’ — Goal. Mexico make it 1-1.

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24’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Rüdiger makes it 1-0 from a corner!

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: Experimental lineup from Nagelsmann, he opts for a 4-2-2-2 formation with all of Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sané, and Thomas Müller up top, but an otherwise unchanged formation elsewhere.

Oh and the kickoff is delayed by 15 minutes.

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Germany are winning games again! It’s easy to take that for granted, but Germany fans have had little to celebrate lately. Julian Nagelsmann got off to a solid start with a 3-1 win over the USMNT, and now it’s Mexico’s turn to face this new-look German national team.

From a Bayern Munich perspective, a couple of names might get a chance on the lineup — Thomas Müller might start as a striker, and Leon Goretzka might get his first shot at the XI since he was dropped by Flick back in September. There’s a lot of excitement around the Nagelsmann era right now, and a win against Mexico could be a huge step forward towards a successful Euro 2024 in Germany.

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While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our new podcast episode? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

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Match Info

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Time: 8 pm ET

TV/streaming: Find Your Country

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