Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says the four-time World Cup winners have “lost their DNA” following the 2-0 defeat in Slovakia last night.
Germany’s hopes of a smooth progression into next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico hit an early bump with goals from David Hancko and David Strelec handing the home side a deserved three points.
Schweinsteiger, who was in Bratislava and watched Germany’s feeble display first hand, told ARD: “We have lost our DNA. We used to play badly often enough, but in the end we usually won. That was the German football DNA, for which we were admired and feared. Unfortunately, it’s long gone. And unfortunately, the rest of the world has also noticed this. Will we ever get our DNA back?
“I have to think about when was the last time I saw the German fans whistle their own players and wave them away? That hurt me very, very much.”
Premier League newboys Wirtz and Woltemade among those to struggle
Julian Nagelsmann’s men dominated possession but did little with it despite fielding Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz and Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade – two players who cost a combined £180m in the recently-closed transfer window.
“I’m sorry but at no minute of the game did I think we would win,” added former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger.
“We were really bad. We didn’t play good passes, didn’t create danger. The [positive] body language after the first goal was gone. If you want to win something, you have to show resilience.
“The players must recognise themselves that this was not good. With Slovakia, I felt much more passion. The national coach can talk all night – the players have to understand it themselves.”
Where was the passion? Nagelsmann questions players’ attitude
The result means there is already added pressure on Sunday’s game with Northern Ireland, who top Group A after a 3-1 win in Luxembourg last night.
Nagelsmann will expect more from his players and insisted their defeat against Slovakia was more to do with their attitude.
He said: “If we start with very simple things like passion: the opponent was miles superior from the first to the last minute. The opponent has brought more football with passion to the pitch.
“We are not in a position to come here and play at 80 per cent, that is not possible. If we don’t bring the passion, we can close the book – football quality doesn’t matter.”
Asked why his team were so lacklustre, he added: “I have no explanation for that.
“Everyone should have come with the mindset that we want to play a good role in the World Cup. We were miles away from everything today. I don’t want to hear about quality anymore. It’s not enough for me if we don’t have the passion. Maybe we have to rely on less quality, but on players who throw everything in.”
Nagelsmann urges Germany to ‘bring the energy’ on Sunday
That’s not to say Nagelsmann will make household changes for the game in Cologne over the weekend.
“I do not have 150 Germans to choose from,” he said. “I have confidence in the team. We need to approach the game like a Champions League semi-final. Otherwise we will play the play-offs in March. I have confidence in the team, but everyone has to realise that it’s not enough to play with the handbrake on.
“The players have spoken to each other. I believe that they feel what is needed now. The whole group must carry the energy. If we appear more energetically than today, it will be a better game on Sunday.”
