‘Emotional release’ as Germany beat France, but questions remain
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German players celebrate after winning their friendly against France.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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DORTMUND – Despite responding to coach Hansi Flick’s sacking with a 2-1 friendly victory over France in Dortmund on Tuesday, pressing questions remain for Euro 2024 hosts Germany.
Usually a bitter rivalry between two of Europe’s proudest footballing nations with six World Cups and five European Championships between them, France did not bring their usual intensity to the game.
Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps made six changes from their last outing, a 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Ireland, including benching star striker Kylian Mbappe.
With his team trailing 1-0 for most of the second half thanks to an early Thomas Muller goal, Deschamps left Mbappe on the bench, later revealing “we didn’t want to risk him in this game”.
The Germans made it 2-0 in the 87th minute via Leroy Sane, before Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty for France two minutes later.
Flick’s caretaker successor Rudi Voller described the win, Germany’s first since March and only the second since the disappointing group-stage exit at the Qatar World Cup, as an “emotional release”.
“What I liked most was that we brought good energy onto the field,” he said. “It’s not just about the result, but the style and manner of the performance.”
Muller also said the win was an “emotional liberation” for his side, but added that “we still have a long way to go”.
The immediate task is to appoint a new coach, with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann said to be the front runner.
Voller, who reaffirmed his decision to step down as coach after the game, added that ideally, the new man will be at the helm before the next international break.
Germany’s next fixtures are against the United States and Mexico in October’s American tour.
In another friendly on Tuesday, England manager Gareth Southgate defended Harry Maguire after Scotland fans sarcastically mocked the defender, who scored an own goal in the Three Lions’ 3-1 win at Hampden Park.
The centre-back was brought on at half-time and faced ironic cheers from the Scottish fans for every pass he completed.
He inadvertently handed Scotland a lifeline by clumsily prodding a cross into his net in the 67th minute.
Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane were the scorers for England.
“There has been ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly,” Southgate said of Maguire, whose prolonged poor performances have seen him struggle for first-team football at his club Manchester United.
“It’s a joke. I’ve never known a player treated the way he is not by the Scottish fans, but by our own commentators, pundits, whatever. They’ve created something beyond anything I’ve ever seen.” AFP, REUTERS
