Initial reactions and observations
- Yeah, this has to be it for Hansi Flick as head coach of the German national team. It’s unlikely that he’ll be sacked, but he’s now a dead man walking. Does anyone think he can turn it around from here? As a Bayern Munich fan who watched us sweep a sextuple after crashing and imploding under Niko Kovac, it’s hard to believe the same man has brought Germany to such drastic lows.
- Playing without a striker for 80% of the game was a grave mistake. Gosens regularly sent in pinpoint deliveries across the box where no one was available to take advantage. It’s hard to see what Flick has against Fullkrug but Havertz is not a #9 and shouldn’t be used like one.
- Joshua Kimmich will be blamed for the penalty but the German midfield was significantly worse without him, especially when it came to moving the ball forward. If only Flick could field a decent system, we wouldn’t be complaining about these things all the time.
Full time: Germany 0-2 Colombia.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our post-game coverage. Chuck’s here with a RANT edition of the BPW Postgame Show — find it on Spotify or use the player below:
And while you’re at it, please throw a vote our way for the 2023 Best Club Podcast Award at WorldSoccerTalk! As always, we appreciate all your support!
82’ — Goal. Cuadrado converts from the penalty spot after a Kimmich handball. Yeah, Flick might be done.
78’ —Sub: Kimmich and Brandt on for Havertz and Gundogan.
65’ — Sub: Niclas Fullkrug is on for Emre Can. Finally, took Hansi long enough.
55’ — Goal. Luis Diaz makes it 1-0. That was so predictable.
45’ — Halftime is over and Hansi has subbed on Benjamin Henrichs for Marius Wolf.
Halftime: Germany 0-0 Colombia.
35’ — Colombia’s coach gets a yellow card for throwing a ball on the pitch during a German attack. Poor sportsmanship, that.
Kickoff: We’re underway! Can Germany finally win a game?
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Aaaaand the back three is gone! Woohoo!
Alright, this is the last game. Germany are trying to prepare for Euro 2024, but right now it feels like the team is just barely keeping its head above the water. Honestly, considering recent results, the head is very much NOT above the water right now.
Hansi Flick needs to figure this out. Again, since this bears repeating, he has players from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund … therefore multiple Champions League and league winners (and BVB players). There is simply no excuse for the team to be this bad.
The question is, can he turn it around?
While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our podcast? We talk about whether Germany should stick with Hansi Flick in light of recent results. Listen to it below or on Spotify.
Match Info
Location: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Time: 8:45pm local time, 2:45 pm EST
TV/streaming:Find Your Country
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