BERLIN — Perhaps the one constructive Germany can draw from its nationwide soccer workforce’s deepening disaster is that the 2024 European Championship continues to be a yr away.

Even if few consider it anymore, Germany coach Hansi Flick insists that's sufficient time to show issues round earlier than internet hosting the match.

Flick struggled to justify his conviction late Tuesday after the most recent disappointing efficiency - a 2-0 loss to Colombia that noticed his workforce whistled off at halftime and once more on the finish.

“With the results, what can I say?” Flick mentioned. “The arguments are not on our side.”

Some followers even held up indicators saying “Flick out,” displaying who they consider deserves blame for Germany’s ever-lengthening droop.

Flick had mentioned earlier than kickoff that it was crucial to get a win towards Colombia after the 1-0 loss in Poland and 3-3 draw with Ukraine the earlier week.

“We need successful results to take the next steps, otherwise it will be difficult,” Flick mentioned.

It’s proving troublesome. Germany has certified as host of Euro 2024, that means it received’t face any aggressive video games earlier than the match. It’s reliant on friendlies to construct up confidence, however the lackluster outcomes are having the other impact.

Without naming names, nationwide workforce sporting director Rudi Völler questioned the standard of the gamers and prompt some will likely be dropped earlier than subsequent yr’s match.

“There were some involved today who we won’t see again in September,” Völler mentioned, referring to Germany’s subsequent friendlies towards Japan and France. “Everyone got involved, that’s not in question. But in the end, you have to say it’s definitely a question of quality.”

Germany shouldn't be in need of good gamers. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are two of the perfect younger gamers in Europe, Antonio Rüdiger performs for Real Madrid, İlkay Gündoğan simply helped Manchester City win the Champions League for the primary time, and Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sané are all used to enjoying on the highest stage for Bayern Munich.

But AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw was the one Germany participant to emerge with any credit score this week after making his debut towards Poland and retaining his beginning place towards Colombia.

Germany’s issues precede Flick, going again to when the workforce was eradicated from the group stage of the 2018 World Cup as defending champion below Joachim Löw. Another flop adopted in 2021 on the coronavirus-postponed Euro 2020 match earlier than Flick took over.

Flick was Löw’s assistant from 2006-14 after which received each title he may win as Bayern Munich coach in 2020 and 2021. He was presupposed to oversee Löw’s failed shakeup and switch the Germany workforce again right into a ruthless scoring machine.

But Germany flopped once more within the group stage finally yr’s World Cup. From 11 video games this season, Germany has solely received three - an finally futile win over Costa Rica on the World Cup, and two pleasant victories over Peru and Oman.

Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, was once a feared rival. Now the gamers’ confidence is arguably at an all-time low.

“It’s dramatic,” Goretzka mentioned after Colombia’s first ever win over Germany. “You can’t say the spirit wasn’t there. We wanted to throw everything into it. Everybody wants it.”

Flick’s chopping and altering hasn’t helped. He made 9 modifications for the Poland sport from the beginning lineup towards Ukraine, then one other 5 modifications for the workforce to face Colombia.

None of Flick’s tinkering resulted in any enchancment and all his modifications give the impression he nonetheless isn’t positive of his greatest lineup. The gamers, too, can not settle or get used to enjoying in any system once they’re enjoying with new teammates for every sport.

Gündoğan alluded to a vicious circle of poor outcomes affecting confidence, resulting in extra shaky performances and poor outcomes. He additionally referred to Völler’s accusation of a scarcity of high quality.

“If you don’t manage to reach your presumed high potential over a longer period of time, then I think it’s normal that the question of quality comes up at some point. We have to face that,” Gündoğan mentioned. “Nevertheless, we’re here to represent Germany in the best possible way. It hasn’t worked at all in the last few games. And we have to question ourselves critically and then come together again.”

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