World Cup 2022 team guides part 18: Germany
This article is part of the Guardian’s World Cup 2022 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 20 November.
The plan
The Germany team are at a historic low. Never before in the postwar era had they been eliminated before the quarter-finals in two major tournaments in a row. But the ignominious group-stage exit in 2018 was followed by defeat against England in the last 16 of Euro 2020. The general public are turning away from their favourite child and the DFB even cancelled its slogan “Die Mannschaft”. In Germany, people are superstitious.
It would be helpful if the team played like a Mannschaft (which literally means team) again. The problem can’t be a lack of talent because the starting XI consists almost exclusively of players who have won the Champions League, and there are some exciting talents coming through.
There are gaps though and it still remains to be seen who will play as the No 9: with Timo Werner injured the favourite to start is Kai Havertz, who is perhaps more comfortable playing behind a centre-forward. The coach, Hansi Flick, sprung a surprise when announcing his squad, including the 17-year-old Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko, who will be an interesting option from the bench. Mario Götze, now at Eintracht Frankfurt, is also travelling to Qatar.
There are some problems at full-back but the biggest issue is in central midfield. Joshua Kimmich is a tremendous distributor of the ball but has come under increasing pressure because of a perceived weakness in “Zweikampf” (challenges/tackles).
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Philipp Lahm has told him to “work on his defensive tackling” while Markus Babbel thinks he lacks “tactical discipline”. Sami Khedira has said he does not have enough “tactical maturity”. How Hansi Flick will put together the midfield (4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1) is therefore the big question heading into the World Cup.
Ilkay Gündogan, the Manchester City captain, is not a certain starter because he is too similar to Kimmich, which was evident in the recent 3-3 draw against England at Wembley. The short preparation time may prove to be a problem as Germany, often described as a “Turniermannschaft” (a tournament team) back home, normally need some time to get going.
Despite all this the aim is to the semi-finals at least. Germany’s main strength, apart from their international experience, is that several players can score the goals. Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Havertz and not least Thomas Müller are always likely to contribute. Leon Goretzka is a goalscoring midfield heir to Lothar Matthäus and Michael Ballack, while Manuel Neuer is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the age of 36.
The coach
Hans im Glück (Hans in Luck) is a fairytale character by the Brothers Grimm. The phrase is also a good description of the short but outstanding spell of Hans-Dieter “Hansi” Flick at Bayern. In a year and a half he won seven titles, including a sextuple. Having taken over a misfiring team from Niko Kovac at the end of 2019, Flick ended the season with the Champions League. That this success was based on his tactical fine-tuning alone is not something even Flick himself believes.
In fact, the 57-year-old’s CV does not read like that of a star coach; before taking over at Bayern the biggest success came as assistant coach to Jogi Löw when Germany won the World Cup in 2014. In Munich, he was the right man at the right place and the right time and, admittedly, pushed the right buttons. In Qatar he has the opportunity to prove that he can lead a team to new heights.
Star player
In a Germany team that has a lot of excellent players but lacks a superstar Leon Goretzka stands out. This is partly for his values, he has spoken out against racism and homophobia, but he is also one of Flick’s most important players on the pitch. Goretzka staying fit and bringing his top level to Qatar would make a huge difference to how Germany get on. With his energy and power he can link defence and attack in a way that neither Kimmich and Gündogan can.
Leon Goretzka chases England’s Raheem Sterling during the 1-1 Nations League draw in Munich in June. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
Unsung hero
Kai Havertz’s qualities are not universally admired in Germany but perhaps those who really appreciate the Chelsea forward are those who know their football. His move to the Premier League at the age of 21 and his lack of a settled position in the national team means many fans back home have not seen that much of Havertz. But the perception of the 23-year-old may change this winter as he is likely to be given a crucial role up front. Of all the team’s technically gifted attacking players, he is the only one can play consistently well in a central role.
Probable lineup
Qatar stance
Some players, such as Toni Rüdiger (“The decision [to host the tournament in Qatar] was not made for us players and not for the fans either”) and Leon Goretzka (“It is absurd that respecting human rights was not among the criteria to get the World Cup”) are rather outspoken with their criticism, but others aren’t. Thomas Müller said in March: “This is about human rights violations, which generally exist in every country, in Germany too.” However, Hansi Flick says that they definitely want to “draw attention” to the situation in Qatar.
National anthem
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The Deutschlandlied, written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in the times of rising national consciousness before the German revolution in 1848, has served as the national anthem since 1922. It has three verses but only the third one, which starts with the famous words “Unity and justice and freedom”, remains. The other two are not sung any more and should you start singing them you can expect a backlash form those around you. The words “unity and justice and freedom” also appear on the German €2 coins.
All-time cult hero
Günter Netzer was the face of Borussia Mönchengladbach’s famous “Fohlenelf” that challenged Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich side in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Not only was he one of the best German midfielders ever, his passion for fast cars and beautiful women and a hippy-style mane of hair made him a 70s icon , as his nickname “the rebel” indicates. In his last match for Mönchengladbach before moving to Real Madrid, the German Cup final in 1973, Netzer substituted himself on to the pitch without asking his coach, Hennes Weisweiler – and scored the winner three minutes later. After retiring Netzer became a cult figure on German TV, forming a beloved duo with Gerhard Delling to cover the national team.
Oliver Fritsch and Tammo Blomberg write for Zeit online. Follow Oliver here and Tammo here.