(Football news) Germany become the first team to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup after a 4-0 win over North Macedonia. A stark contrast to their situation just six months ago when they lost to the same team 2-1 in one of the biggest humiliations the traditional European heavyweight has experienced in recent history.
It’s fair to say that Joachim Low’s Germany, especially in the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 have looked like a team in crisis. In Russia, the reigning world champions were eliminated from the group stage and all indications pointed at the fact that many of the players who guided the team to the ultimate glory in Brazil were in the twilight years of their careers while the new generation weren’t up to the mark. Even at the Euro 2020 the team never looked convincing and had slow build-up play, lack of movement in the final third and no counter-pressing to win the ball back. The team lacked a spark but not the talent and it seems that Hansi Flick has finally found the answer to their problems.
The former Bayern Munich manager has adopted a similar tactical approach for the national team who now play at a higher tempo with a progressive and high pressing style. Flick is working alongside coaches at the domestic level to ensure the clubs and national team work in a unified direction. When Leroy Sane was moved to the left wing from right, Hansi Flick discussed it with Bayern Munich’s coach Julian Nagelsmann and the performances instantly improved. Sane could go into more one-on-one situations, which is where his strength lies while Serge Gnabry was moved to the right and scored three goals against Armenia and Iceland.
Back in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it was clear that the next generation of Germany were one to watch out for. A young Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira and Mats Hummels were making their way up the ranks in a squad that comprised a perfect blend of youth and experience. The likes of Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger provided plenty of experience for the youngsters and as predicted, they won the World Cup in 2014.
This German side has similar makings with the likes of Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz more than capable of being the core of the next generation. The team has struggled to replace Miroslav Klose since his retirement but Red Bull Salzburg’s Karim Adeyemi might just be the answer to their number 9 woes. The team also has enough experience with the likes of Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller and Marco Reus in the side to ease the transition while remaining competitive in upcoming competitions. Hansi Flick is slowly but steadily guiding Germany back where it belongs and it’ll be wise for the rest of the world to take notice.
