European powerhouse Germany is set to go into their final two fixtures in the UEFA Nations League during the current international break when they lock horns tonight with shock group leaders Hungary in Leipzig before traveling to London to clash with rivals England.
Die Mannschaft boasts an undefeated record (9-4-0) under former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick after he replaced Jogi Löw in the wake of Euro 2020, with Germany scoring a staggering 42 goals under his command since he took up his post on the national team touchline.
Despite their impressive record under Flick to date, Germany has won just one of its four Nations League fixtures this cycle (1-3-0) on the back of a trio of 1-1 draws against Italy (A), England (H), and Hungary (A) but can call upon a 5-2 thrashing of the European champions in Mönchengladbach back in June.
But with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar just two months away, Flick and the national team will be under the microscope just a little bit more as they hope to push to secure the top spot in Group A3, not only to go into the winter tournament on good form but also to secure additional competitive fixtures during the final phase of the Nations League tournament; fixures they otherwise will not have access to as upcoming hosts of Euro 2024.
As reported by DWSports’ Max Merrill, the long-term picture of the national team will be the hot-button topic in the immediate future in what will be a surprisingly difficult tie against a Hungary outfit that has defied the odds in a group that many expected them to finish dead-last and without a prayer of taking many points if at all.
Instead, Hungary has defeated an underwhelming England under Gareth Southgate in both their meetings by an aggregate score of 5-0 while also securing a very credible 1-1 draw at home against Germany. Despite the loss against Italy, they still remain one point clear of Flick’s men, and an unexpected win tonight would mean they would need just a point against their final fixture (home vs Italy) to shock the continent.
It is a viable test for a Germany outfit that some postulate has perhaps struggled a bit recently to the tune of four draws in their last six matches - all of which were 1-1 affairs - while Merrill has also suggested that Flick may still not know his best team heading into Qatar.
While the likes of Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gündogan, Antonio Rüdiger, and Thomas Müller are all guaranteed a seat on the plane come late November, the jury is still out on a cadre of talented options including Leon Goretzka, Julian Draxler, Julian Brandt, and a recently-injured Marco Reus.
Should Germany secure six points in the next few days, the picture may begin to reveal itself further for the nation’s top football manager in just how he may direct his leadership in the hopes of the country securing its fifth World Cup win in its illustrious history.
