"We still have to convince the public, but I would like to emphasize once again that it is healthy to set goals,"
"In all phases [we were lacking], with the ball, when we lost the ball, transitions, defensively, we lacked connection to the game. It was a very weak performance from us."
"It was a surprise for us, that the game went the way it did,"
Germany started 2026 World Cup qualification with a 2-0 loss to Slovakia in Bratislava, marking the first-ever away World Cup qualifying defeat. The team appeared out of shape and lethargic, lucky to be only one goal down at halftime before David Strelec doubled the lead by turning Antonio Rudiger inside out. Recent high-value transfers and two years under coach Julian Nagelsmann contrasted sharply with the poor display. Nagelsmann maintained world champion ambitions while emphasizing process, and Jonathan Tah described deficits across possession, transitions and defensive connection as resulting in a very weak performance.
Read at www.dw.com
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