Germany entered the World Cup knockout stage with something to think about after falling 2-1 to Ecuador on Thursday. While the loss had no impact on their position at the top of Group E, it served as a sharp reminder that the four-time world champions have significant issues to clean up before their round-of-32 match in Boston this Monday. Their next opponent has not yet been decided.
It was Germany’s first time advancing out of the group stage in 12 years, but the performance raised concerns. The defense looked disorganized, mistakes were scattered throughout the lineup, and even 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was not immune to the sloppiness.
Midfielder Jamal Musiala acknowledged the team must do better. “We have to learn from this defeat and prepare ourselves for the important phase of this tournament,” he said. “We can no longer afford to make mistakes like we did and we have to win the next game.”
Musiala himself struggled on Thursday, showing little of the creativity and pace that defines his usual game. He has been working to regain his form following a broken leg suffered 12 months ago that kept him off the pitch for more than six months.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to continue playing Musiala to give him valuable minutes, but holding midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic may find his starting role in question after turning in his weakest showing of the tournament.
Germany’s defensive unit is under growing pressure. The team has given up at least one goal in each of their three World Cup matches. That problem has been made worse by the loss of central defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who suffered an ankle ligament injury in the second group stage game against Ivory Coast and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
Captain Joshua Kimmich was blunt about what needs to change. “We keep inviting the opposition in with turnovers, effectively making them stronger,” he said. “Fortunately, nothing is lost yet. But it’s clear we can’t afford another defeat. We can’t keep conceding one or two goals every game. We have to minimise our turnover rate. Then we can beat anyone.”
Despite the criticism coming from back home in Germany, Nagelsmann pushed back against panic, calling for his squad to stay disciplined and composed heading into the elimination rounds.
“We need more patience and not to leave our positions so much. We trust all the players in the squad,” the coach said. “We don’t have to see everything bad now. The key is to have more patience and we will now go to Boston on Monday to win.”
