"Germany's journey to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada got off to the worst possible start as Julian Nagelsmann's team suffered a deserved 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava. Nearly three months after the disappointment of the Nations League, Germany looked out of shape and sorts. They had never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home before tonight. History had been made, but not the kind that Nagelsmann wanted. Here are the key takeaways from Germany's loss."
"Germany looked lethargic and were very lucky to be behind by only one goal at the break. By the time David Strelec had turned Antonio Rudiger inside out and doubled the hosts' lead, Germany looked like a boxer who had been 12 rounds. The problem is, the new domestic football season has just started. Germany's two leading attackers Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz have just moved for a combined transfer value of 210 million ($245)."
Germany lost 2-0 away to Slovakia in Bratislava, marking the first-ever World Cup qualifying defeat on the road for Germany. The side appeared out of shape, lethargic and fortunate to trail by only one goal at half-time. David Strelec's second, after turning Antonio Rudiger inside out, sealed a deserved win for the hosts. The domestic season had just started, and recent transfers of Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz totalled a combined transfer value of 210 million ($245). Julian Nagelsmann has been manager for two years and had targeted efficient possession, ball-winning and fewer big chances; those objectives were not met. Jonathan Tah described deficiencies across possession, transitions and defensive connection and called the outing a very weak performance.
Read at www.dw.com
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