Germany 2-3 Turkey: Initial reactions and observations

 

Initial reactions and observations

Once more, Germany has done it. humiliated by a Turkish B-team at home. The new dawn of Julian Nagelsmann has ended far sooner than anyone anticipated; when will it come to an end?

How come Kai Havertz was permitted to start at left back? How might Nagelsmann have thought? It was these kinds of careless mistakes—experimenting purely for fun, without any sound reasoning—that ultimately cost him his job at Bayern Munich.

This might have been a very embarrassing result for the Germans if it weren't for Kevin Trapp. Right now, it's just dehumanising. What precisely can strengthen this German defence?

There were two goals, so perhaps the offensive wasn't that bad, right? Nope, the Turkish players were still getting used to the game when both goals came early in each half. Turkey outperformed the Germans both offensively and defensively as both sides warmed up.

The midfield pairing of Kimmich and Gudo is ridiculous; where was Pascal Groß? What makes German coaches disregard a successful formula?

Full time: Germany 3-2 Turkey.

70’ — Penalty to Turkey! After a long VAR review, the ref decides that Kai Havertz handled the ball in the box.

And it’s 3-2 via Yusuf Sari. 

48’ — GOOOOOOOOOAL! Germany equalize via Füllkrug !45’ — The second half is underway! 

Halftime: Germany 1-2 Turkey.45’ — Goal. Kenan Yildiz makes it 2-1 to Turkey. And we break for halftime.37’ — Goal. Turkey equalizes with a long ball over the top.3’ — GOOOOOOAL! Havertz makes it 1-0! Nagelsmann is COOKING?

Kickoff: We’re underway! More importantly, Nagelsmann confirmed on German TV that Kai Havertz is playing as a left-back.

What is he cooking?

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Germany starts with what looks like a back three? Henrichs, Tah, and Rüdiger seem to be the center-backs, with Kimmich and Gündogan in the middle. Five attackers in Brandt, Sané, Wirtz, Havertz, and Füllkrug. That’s ... definitely unexpected.

With Euro 2024 looming over the horizon, Germany continue their preparation under Julian Nagelsmann by hosting Turkey at the Berlin Olympiastadion.

Despite missing Jamal Musiala and a few other key stars, the Germans have a solid lineup that includes the likes of Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, and more. While the Bayern Munich core seems diminished compared to previous editions of the national team, there’s optimism that Julian Nagelsmann is on the path to turning things around.

Match Info

Location: Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 2:45 pm EST

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