Perennial European powerhouse Germany remains in the midst of a turbulent period under head trainer Hansi Flick in the wake of a disastrous 2022 World Cup that has now spilled over into their pre-Euro 2024 program.
After Die Mannschaft was once again ousted during the group stage in consecutive tournaments for the first time in the nation’s footballing history, many pundits and fans were of the opinion that the DFB needed to part ways with Flick in the immediate aftermath in order to give a new manager time to bed in with the player pool during preparations for next summer. Instead, Flick remains backed by Germany’s top brass, and so far, results have not supported the decision.
Since Qatar, Germany has managed just one win in their subsequent four friendlies; a 2-0 win over Peru in Mainz. Losses against Belgium (2-3) and Poland (1-0) were split by a last-gasp 3-3 draw against Ukraine in Bremen, and if not for a stoppage-time penalty from Joshua Kimmich, they would have once again tasted defeat under the former Bayern Munich boss.
In a bid to prepare as best they can for next summer’s Euro as hosts, Germany is slated to play a number of friendlies during the international break in lieu of a qualifying campaign. But according to Nationalelf legend Lothar Matthäus, public criticism is the order of the day on the back of the team’s plans for a friendly tour in the United States in the fall.
In quotes sourced by ESPN’s lead Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae, Matthäus sees a missed opportunity to reconnect the team with the domestic fanbase and drum up support for the summer given how results have gone of late.
Lothar Matthäus in BILD, is critical of Germany‘s autumn trip to the USA where they’re due to play the #USMNT in East Hartford on 14 Oct & Mexico in Chicago on 18 Oct. Translation of Lothar’s concerns below.
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) June 20, 2023
“I don’t understand the USA trip for various reasons. For 1 thing, as the national team by staying home could be promoting itself & the tournament (Euros). For another, because 2 months into the season & in a period of the highest demands, a long journey is being made.”
“I would have tried to create a good atmosphere here in Germany before the Euros, I would have had friendlies in all 10 venues & the national team could have gone there 1 time. But what do we want in the USA at this point in time?”
With Germany set to take on Colombia later today in Gelsenkirchen, another frustrating result would only compound the situation for the four-time World Cup champion as one that is, in a word, catastrophic.
