Any misconceptions that German fans may have had that this summer’s European championships would be tied-up before June were dispersed last night as Bremen’s Wesertadion set the stage for an uncharacteristic event in German football, as Laurent Blanc’s France walked away with a well deserved 2-1 win over Low’s highly tipped German side.
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A bitter shot of reality straight to the arm for Germany’s montage-like preparation for this summers European championships, one may consider as the simple crime of underestimating the opponent, was in ample view before last night’s show down.
For all of German football’s success over the past decade – on the domestic and international stage – the highest accolade the global press had put upon it was its distinct ability to never believe its own hype.
Of course, we mustn’t read too much in to the result; Low clearly intended to use this fixture as a run through for most of his ‘Plan B players’. But the extent to which most failed to make an impact will certainly concern the coach as he tweaks his selection ever so slightly, for the summers event.
The French opened the scoring on the twentieth minute with a goal so directly fashioned and easily manoeuvred, that you would have been forgiven for assuming that Aogo and Badstuber were simple bystanders. Mathieu Debuchy took advantage of such a welcoming and cut inside where he then squared the ball across to Olivier Giroud who then made simple work of slotting the ball past Wiese.
The second French goal – much like the first – was a veritable feast of defensive errors for the Germans. A direct free kick was passed down the middle of the pitch to which no German opposition materialised, allowing the French an uncharacteristic amount of space and time to pick holes in the home side’s defence, which eventually led to an inevitable goal at the hands of Florent Malouda.
The midfield trio of Khedira, Kroos and Reus were no better than their defensive counterparts. If we are to bombard Hummels et al for their horrific marking, then the blame for such pressure and intensity upon this fragile defence surely lies at the feet of these three men. Marco Reus perhaps best epitomised this young German side with a quaint, disappointing performance that fans of the Bundesliga would have never expected. The young Borussian-to-be has been fantastic for Gladbach this season and tore through defences big and small with an ease and finesse that engulfs ones excitement. For all this young Bundesliga prodigal has to offer, it wasn’t there last night, in him or his young team mates.
If Low were to walk away with one worry from this game it would be that of concern for his young squad. Schweinsteiger - a man of only twenty-seven-years-old – was sorely missed in midfield as was captain Philipp Lahm in defence and Lukas Podolski in attack; the two players twenty-eight and twenty-six respectively, alongside Schweinsteiger make up the only thing Low has to old, experienced players which, from last night’s game, are sorely missed.
In contrast, the French side embodied a tone of change against their own hardships that has limited their success over the past few years. This side is truly Laurent Blanc’s own, from the uncommon white and blue strips to the Ligue 1 dependency of Valbuena, Debuchy & co; this was a new approach from the French, and it seems to be working.
Ribery - to the backdrop of boos from the Bremen crowd - was ever impressive as he continues to arrogantly shine in any game he ventures through. Samir Nasri, no stranger to confrontation and drama in the French camp, looked at ease when he came on and characterised the cool, collective playmaking that the home crowd had paid to come watch from their own.
In truth, it was a result that may go on to help this German side and certainly point Low in the right direction for his definitive squad this summer. For all the surprise on the pitch, neither manager showed signs of animation, delight, or disappointment and will go back to their respective camps with notes and figures to suggest progress for the future of both sides.
