Germany’s nightmare run of results continued as they slumped to a 4-1 home defeat to Japan in their first friendly this week to heap more woe on beleaguered trainer Hansi Flick. The much-hoped for new start just didn’t materialise and the Nationalmannschaft suffered an even heavier defeat that the one the Samurais inflicted at the World Cup.
Here are the player ratings for Germany’s latest debacle…
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 2
The fact that the Barcelona keeper was the team’s best player tells you a lot. He made at least three or four big saves to keep Germany in the game and was helpless to do anything about the goals he conceded thanks to the players in front of him.
Joshua Kimmich: 3,5
Deployed in a new inverted right back slot, the Bayen man had a solid enough game, but was robbed of his natural talents as a central orchestrator. He coped well enough with Mitoma on the right and spent a good portion of time in midfield in possession, but the felling is he was a little wasted in his new role.
Niklas Süle: 4,5
The Dortmund man was back in the fold and didn’t enjoy the best of returns. He lost his man for the second Japanese goal and also didn’t cover himself in glory for the fourth. An early yellow card meant he had to go steady and with Jonathan Tah waiting in the wings, this was not the comeback he needed.
Antonio Rüdiger: 4
His deflected touch took the ball past ter Stegen for the first goal. He was the man tasked with organising the back four and there were multiple times this didn’t happen despite him having an individually solid (ish) game. He had one headed chance that he should have done better with.
Nico Schlotterbeck: 5
This has to go down as a performance to forget for the Dortmund defender. Playing at left back, both of Japan’s opening two goals came down his flank with Junya Ito enjoying too much space and time. A disastrous back pass to Antonio Rüdiger very nearly led to a third goal. Taken off after 64 minutes and deservedly so.
Emre Can: 4,5
Another player whose display was forgettable. His passing lacked precision at times and the game seemed to pass him by. Subbed off on 64 minutes and it was hard to notice his absence.
Ilkay Gündogan: 4,5
The new captain was unable to put his stamp on the game and for large portions of the first period was absent from the action. He wasted a good chance to equalise at 2-2, but failed to find the target. Not exactly the dominant leader Germany needed tonight.
Serge Gnabry: 5
Playing on the left the Bayern man failed to deliver on the occasions when he got the ball. Stayed on until the 81st minute, but with little contribution and he has done himself no favours going forward ahead of the Euros with this lacklustre display.
Leroy Sané: 2,5
Any threat Germany posed largely came down the right with Sané. He got on the end of the move that led to the equaliser and kept pushing forward with intent whenever he got the ball. Was less effective in the second 45 minutes as Germany were denied space by the Japanese.
Florian Wirtz: 3,5
The Leverkusen midfielder was much more involved in the first half and provided the assist for Sané’s equaliser. He moved a lot and looked to find the spaces in between the lines, but was not involved as much as he would like and drifted out of the game in the second half.
Kai Havertz: 5
Another poor display from Havertz as he looked to lead the attacking line. His start at Arsenal has been disappointing and this was too. Little threat posed and his display once again highlighted the need for a ‘real’ striker to spearhead the attack for Germany.
Subs:
Pascal Groß: 3,5
Not the ideal circumstances to make your international debut, but was involved and had one or two moments.
Robin Gosens: 5
Did inject some attacking intent, but his loss of possession led to the goals at 3-1 and put the game well and truly beyond the hosts.
Thomas Müller: n/a
His appearance in the 73rd minute brought a rare cheer from the crown, but there was little opportunity for him to save the day.
Julian Brandt: n/a
Wasn’t able to replicate his club form in the short time he was given.
Kevin Schade: n/a
Only had nine minutes and Germany’s goose was already cooked.
