Germany looked a renewed side with national team legend Rudi Voller on the sideline, and were good value for their 2-1 win over France
Hansi Flick was supposed to make Germany a force at the international level once again. But the results since his hiring were poor, so his sacking earlier this week felt inevitable. And with no time to appoint a replacement, Germany turned to Rudi Voller to lead the side against France in a high-profile international friendly. The result was impressive, with Germany looking a side renewed as they beat the World Cup finalists, 2-1.
Expectations were admittedly low as they hosted an in-form France side. But they opened the contest brimming with confidence and it translated to the scoreboard, with Thomas Muller lashing home from close range after just four minutes. They almost added a second shortly after, as Muller's Bayern Munich teammate Serge Gnabry curled an effort narrowly outside the post.
France had some solid moments in the first half, but were unconvincing in the absence of Kylian Mbappe. Manager Didier Deschamps fielded a far less attacking side than the one that has rolled through France's Euro 2024 qualifying group, and it showed. Randal Kolo Muani, charged with leading the line, was energetic without being effective, and Germany looked good value for their 1-0 lead at the half.
The second period bubbled without exploding. Then, with five minutes remaining, the game came back alive. Leroy Sane started it, running onto Kai Havertz's pass to give Germany a 2-0 lead. Antoine Griezmann, after turning in a poor showing, buried a penalty conceded by a rash challenge from the German goalscorer.
After that, the home side dug in effectively. Antonio Rudiger and Jonathan Tah both made important clearances, and the German midfield suffocated France, who could never really muster a clear chance to equalise as time expired.
There's a long way to go for Die Mannschaft, and they certainly won't be counted among the favourites when they host next year's European championships. But for one promising night, with a familiar face overseeing it all, the good vibes were back.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Signal Iduna Park…
WINNER: Rudi Voller
With Flick unceremoniously sacked, Germany turned to a familiar face to get things back on track. The Flick era came to an end in unglamorous fashion earlier this week, when the former Bayern manager was removed following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Japan. And although new, trendy manager Julian Nagelsmann could inherit the job within a few months, a seasoned veteran got the job done on Tuesday.
Voller didn't do anything revolutionary, or make any rash selections. Ilkay Gundogan remained the captain. Muller retained his place. And although Joshua Kimmich and Havertz were rested from the outset, there were few big surprises from a lineup perspective.
Instead, Germany simply looked like a team that had its confidence back. Leroy Sane broke out a delightful flick in the build up to the opener. Emre Can was ambitious in his passing. And the desire to press and put pressure on an opponent was back. At the other end, things were far more organised. Jonathan Tah and Niklas Sule rarely looked troubled, while Antonio Rudiger continued his solid start to the season. They will hope that Nagelsmann, and his tactical nous, can channel those principles into something bigger should he get the job.
AdvertisementLOSER: Kylian Mbappe
His knee injury, we are told, is nothing to worry about. And that is likely the case. The France captain was on the bench; and the fact that he wasn't left out altogether suggests he won't be a doubt for PSG when the international break is over. Still, this was a game crying out for Mbappe's influence.
Deschamps elected to alter his side's setup with his captain out, deploying France in a 4-4-1-1 of sorts with Adrien Rabiot playing on Mbappe's preferred left wing. Although the Juventus centre-midfielder was not expected to do all of the Mbappe things, Les Bleus certainly missed his attacking quality – especially in transition.
Instead, the onus fell on PSG team-mate Kolo Muani, who looked every bit a player still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained during preseason. This is, on a larger scale, of little concern for France. Although they would have liked to continue their winning run, friendlies don't tend to be particularly consequential. However, a more coherent attacking showing – especially without Mbappe – would have been encouraging.
WINNER: Thomas Muller
It was suggested that Muller, now 33, should have retired from German international duty before their immensely disappointing World Cup campaign in December. Indeed, it was Muller's poor showings through the middle that were cited as one of the major reasons for Germany's inability to advance past the group stages.
But he has stayed in the picture, to an admittedly mixed reaction from German fans and media alike. Still, on Tuesday, Muller justified his inclusion in an emphatic fashion. He took his goal immensely well, cushioning an awkward cross and smashing home to give his side an early lead. He was constantly involved thereafter, pressing from the front and combining well with Sane and Gnabry.
Muller may not be the future of this German side, but they don't yet have a player of his experience or quality to lead the line. Until they do, the Bayern stalwart has done enough to show that he can still make an impact for a winning team.
LOSER: Barcelona
Gundogan's injury didn't look particularly bad upon first viewing. But the Germany captain's reaction – a teary grimace as he walked off the pitch – suggested that there could be a larger issue.
His knock could be a big blow for a Barcelona side already struggling with injuries. Pedri sustained an issue in August, and could be out for up to two months, but Gundogan seemed to be a more-than-capable replacement.
Now, the Blaugrana could be forced to turn to the unreliable Sergi Roberto, in order to keep up with a Real Madrid side that is already settling into fine form in the early weeks of the season. Meanwhile, they will hope that Gundogan's injury isn't serious – and that Pedri makes a speedy recovery.