Recurring issues plague Germany crew 1 12 months earlier than the nation hosts Euro 2024

BERLIN (AP) – All the previous issues had been there to see.

Germany’s uninspired exhibiting in a 3-3 draw with Ukraine was simply the most recent instance of the crew’s struggles, leaving it in a state of alarm one 12 months earlier than the nation hosts the European Championship.

Only Kai Havertz prevented worse for the crew on Tuesday, when he got here on as an alternative and pulled a purpose again, then pressured the penalty from which Joshua Kimmich nabbed the equalizer in harm time.

It prevented Germany’s second straight defeat after the 3-2 loss at dwelling in opposition to Belgium in March, however it did little to deal with recurrent issues and doubts about coach Hansi Flick’s means to deal with them.

Flick sat stone-faced after Havertz and Kimmich’s objectives, unable to benefit from both after what he had seen earlier than.

The German soccer federation caught with Flick as coach after Germany’s World Cup flop in Qatar, bringing in former nationwide crew striker and coach Rudi Völler as sporting director to assist him as Oliver Bierhoff’s successor.

But thus far there was no signal that any of the crew’s issues in Qatar have been addressed.

Instead, it was a well-recognized story of Germany dominating possession and creating possibilities whereas nonetheless susceptible to pricey errors. Mistakes led to all three Ukrainian objectives.

A wayward cross from Julian Brandt led to Viktor Tsyhankov’s equalizer, one other mistake from Nico Schlotterbeck preceded Ukraine’s second purpose, and Brandt’s tough ball for Matthias Ginter led to the third – once more scored by Tsyhankov.

“That’s what we need cut out – the mistakes at the back and at the front,” Kimmich mentioned after stopping what would have been Ukraine’s first ever win over Germany.

The consequence didn’t disguise the crew’s shortcomings. Germany made a great begin however lacked precision after which did not make headway in opposition to the guests’ hardworking protection as soon as they’d settled into the sport.

“We have to keep working on it,” mentioned Flick, who nonetheless hasn’t discovered a settled protection. “We started with three at the back and then switched to a back four, so 4-3-3, but these are things, processes that we have to go through.”

There had been whistles from some Germany supporters as the house crew labored to make a breakthrough.

“It’s very annoying because the goals come from mistakes,” Germany goalkeeper Kevin Trapp mentioned after his first look in 15 months. “Individual mistakes can happen, it’s part of the sport. Of course, we have to have a better grip on the situation. It’s been an issue for a long time, it’s fact. But we still have a year to the European Championship, and we have until then to sort them out – otherwise it will be harder.”

Germany subsequent performs Poland in Warsaw on Friday earlier than internet hosting Colombia in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday. The crew has already certified for Euro 2024 as host.

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