After the disappointing draw with Ukraine there was further woe for the German national team on Friday as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Warsaw to Poland. Hansi Flick changed his personnel but kept going with the back three, but a first half header from Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior was the only goal of the game. Despite an improved performance and numerous chances in the second half, there was not equaliser this time and the criticism will no doubt mount on the Nationalmannschaft with the European Championships now less than a year away.
Here’s how the German XI fared…
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen- 4
The Barcelona keeper came in for Kevin Trapp. He made a good save on 21 minutes to deny Kaminski, but wasn’t commanding enough for the Polish goal. Generally didn’t look overly confident or secure with crosses and corners all game.
Antonio Rüdiger- 3
The Real Madrid defender had a better game than against Ukraine as he took up the left-hand berth in the back three. Playing deep he was more solid that the last game, but there was little threat when going forward.
Malick Thiaw- 2.5
On his national team debut he was one of the few players to emerge with credit after a fine display. Lining up as the central of the back three he used his speed and positioning well and fared admirably up against Robert Lewandowski. Almost grabbed an equaliser on 78 minutes and overall a fine debut from the Milan defender.
Thilo Kehrer- 4.5
He failed to really challenge for the aerial ball that led to Kiwior’s goals on 31 minutes and made more than a few errors in his build-up play. His understanding on right with Jonas Hofmann wasn’t great at he only won a third of his duels.
Benjamin Henrichs- 4.5
The Leipzig defender was played in quite often by Musiala, but then too often slowed the game down. He switched to the right in the second half, but overall there was a lack of precision in his play and defensively he looked wobbly at times.
Jonas Hofmann- 4.5
Took the right wingback slot and was taken off at half time. There were too many occasions where he needlessly lost possession and his crosses didn’t really hit the mark. Defensively he had one or two problems.
Emre Can- 4
Took on the more defensive role next to Kimmich and acted as the stabiliser/covering man. He performed his role to an adequate standard, but didn’t shine. He wasn’t 100% convincing in his direct duels and allowed too many through ball to get past/ behind him.
Joshua Kimmich- 3
As you would expect Kimmich conducted the German game, but in the first half it was a safety first approach from the Bayern midfielder. He became more urgent in the second half as Germany looked for the equaliser. He hit the bar in the 48th minute and looked to play an increasing number of ambitious diagonal and long balls. There was however to be no late rescue this time.
Jamal Musiala-3
It was an energetic display from Musiala, who looked to instigate attacks from the midfield third with his dribbling and passing, but too often his team mates didn’t read his intentions or he came up against the massed ranks of the Polish defence. He kept up the energy, but with no end result this time.
Florian Wirtz- 4.5
Another largely disappointing display from the Leverkusen playmaker, from whom so much is expected. He did look to get involved in the offensive third and saw plenty of touches, but there was rarely any penetration or creativity. Looked inferior to Jamal Musiala in his output.
Kai Havertz-3
Played as the lone striker/ false nine as he was the one to have the majority of Germany’s shooting opportunities. As the game progressed though he increasing lost his position as he moved wide to look for the ball leaving the front line empty.
Subs:
Robin Gosens- 3.5
Replaced Jonas Hofmann at half time and provided Germany’s first opportunity of the second period with a shot from a tight angle. He however faded as the second 45 progressed. There was enough positivity to earn a further chance to impress.
Leroy Sané- 4
Came on after 69 minutes and was made to defend more than attack. He did help stop two Polish counter attacks, but didn’t really offer the creative impulse for which he was brought on for with too many wrong decisions being taken.
Niclas Füllkrug- 4
Came on in the 69th minute to add a new dimension to the German front line, but was too isolated to have much of an effect. He only had four ball contacts and not one chance came his way so that unusually he failed to score for the Nationalmannschaft.
Leon Goretzka- n/a
Only had nine minutes to make an impact, but did have one chance. Not really on long enough to get a rating.
Julian Brandt- n/a
Brandt did inject some urgency after his substitution and had one involvement that could have led to an equaliser, but time was against him and his nine-minute cameo wasn’t enough to get a rating.
Marius Wolf- n/a
Was involved in one action where his winning of the ball could have led to an equaliser. Coming on in the 88th minutes gave him little to time to use his offensive thrust.
