The majority of people like the new jersey of the German national football team. However, at the first broadcast on the pitch, the wearers of the shirts, whose designs were reminiscent of the title fights in 1990 and 2014, did not yet exude world championship glory. Without injured captain Joshua Kimmich, who was replaced by reserve Ridle Baku at right-back and defensive chief Jonathan Tah as captain, Germany struggled to a 2-0 win in Luxembourg on Friday night.
Nick Woltemade scored two goals in the second half (49th and 69th minutes). “We got the three points, that’s what matters in the end,” said national coach Julian Nagelsmann on RTL: “Football is a sport of results. However, it was much more difficult than expected.”
The atmosphere was good before the match. The stadium management played one party song after another, at an incredible volume at the tiny Stade de Luxembourg, which was sold out with just 9,214 spectators. The momentum from the loudspeakers initially only inspired one team, and it wasn’t the German team. Rout Léiwen, the Red Lions, who have so far taken no points in four World Cup qualifying matches and lost 4-0 at Sinsheim in the first leg after being outnumbered for a long time, showed a high level of pressure with a lot of aggression.
Luxembourg exudes dominance
The German team didn’t understand at all. Even though Florian Wirtz managed to score the first goal in the ninth minute, the Luxembourg team’s actions were more dangerous. Moments later, Danel Sinani of FC St. Pauli passes goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. It was completely to the taste of Luxembourg coach Jeff Strasser, a former professional player in the Bundesliga, who, after many successful actions of his players, continued to move to the main stand with the most expensive seats. This also inspired the enthusiasm of the audience there.
On the field, little changes to the balance of play. Aiman Dardari took a cheeky shot inside from the left; The ball flew past the German goal again (18th minute), Sinani’s attempt was parried by Baumann. It was only midway through the first half that the German Football Association selection found the first gap in Luxembourg’s defense. Serge Gnabry’s first shot only hit his partner Woltemade, the second shot went wide of the goal (26). Wirtz also did not aim better after a solo, but failed to lead Germany (28).
Then it was the turn of the outsiders again who didn’t play like that at all. Sinani’s mischievous attempt to take a corner kick straight at goal was parried away by Baumann (29′); Then all of Germany’s confusion became clear when Baku headed the ball from behind towards Leon Goretzka; No criminal handball. However, Tah’s half-height return pass into the penalty box also has the potential to become a slapstick goal. Baumann had to make it clear with an artistic and risky performance. Wirtz had a final chance at the other end, but his deflected shot was fruitless (39′).
Sané puts Woltemade in the spotlight
Luxembourg’s enthusiasm was huge in the first half – and waned significantly soon after. Aleksandar Pavlovic, apparently with new instructions to return to the last line of the defensive chain when building play, hit the ball diagonally towards Sané. Because opponent Laurent Jans made a serious error of judgment and missed the ball, the German winger suddenly had a lot of space, putting him in the penalty area, where Woltemade got the ball right in front of the small German fan’s block not offside and shot the ball into the goal to make it 1-0 (49).
However, the calm inside the stadium did not last long, as Dardari’s shot went just centimeters past the German goalpost two minutes later. Despite the lead, the game quickly returned to the mode of a cup game between a small outside team and a big favorite. National coaches were also quickly challenged again. The reason was, Goretzka, who had already received a yellow card, made another risky tackle in midfield and referee John Brooks from England issued a final warning, Nagelsmann swapped Felix Nmecha for Goretzka.
Moments later, Germany were lucky again when Christopher Martins failed to put a cross in the six-yard box into the net. On the other hand, despite all their shortcomings, they at least have greater efficiency than their opponents. Similar to the 1-0 score, the 2-0 score was also created through a long ball, this time Wirtz’s free kick. This time Sané chose Baku as a stopover, who cleverly set up Woltemade. The Newcastle goalscorer scored (69), calming the nerves of the Germans and Luxembourg fans alike.
Since then things have felt calmer. Sané, who was reintroduced to the squad by Nagelsmann and straight into the starting Eleven, played a good game. His late effort hit the Luxembourg crossbar (78th). With Waldemar Anton unable to get another free kick from space, the eventual victory was deserved. The Luxembourgers have also impressively shown how the Germans can handle it this time around. Nagelsmann’s team now has to pass one final test in order to qualify directly for the World Cup.
