After Germany's 0-1 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League, Matthäus said in his column for Sky Germany that the team's performance fell far short of expectations, and that the players must also take responsibility. He believes Germany still has a chance to reach the quarter-finals, but he is puzzled by one of Klopp's personnel decisions.

Klopp said after the match: "A bad start is better than a bad finish. We're doing the right things, it's just that we have little time in these few matches." Matthäus replied: "Germany's performance on Sunday was far from what we expected. But I demand performances not only from Klopp, but also from the players."

On Klopp's post-match comments,

Matthäus said: "There's only one sentence I don't quite agree with. He said: 'During the first 15 minutes of the second half, we showed what we wanted to play.' If the team's coordination could work during those 15 minutes, why didn't it work during the other 75 minutes? Klopp has players who perform exceptionally well at the highest level of club football."

Speaking of individual player performances,

Matthäus noted: "I don't want to single anyone out, but has Adeyemi made the kinds of penetrating runs and shots against the Netherlands and Greece that he does at Barcelona? He can choose to break through, but he should also convert chances that he's recently converted at Barça. Did Nmecha play at the level he shows at Borussia Dortmund? Before that goal conceded, his performance in duels was only at a regional amateur league level."

Regarding Kimmich,

Matthäus said: "Why doesn't he perform for Germany the way he does for Bayern Munich? At Bayern, he has world-class teammates like Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Luis Díaz around him. He himself has been decisive for Bayern, but so far he hasn't been for Germany. However, I completely believe he has the capacity.

Klopp's system is similar to Bayern's, and his demands on the players are similar to those of their club coaches. So I don't hold only the head coach responsible; the players are too. They have the capacity and experience, but if they can't show it, the team won't function properly. Greece defended well, and we couldn't find a solution. Barcelona and Bayern Munich also often face opponents who defend deep; why can our players find solutions at their clubs but not for Germany?"

On the subject of the UEFA Nations League,

Matthäus said: "Especially given Germany's disappointing results in recent World Cups and European Championships, we must not forget that the UEFA Nations League is also an important competition, and we still have a chance to reach the quarter-finals. Klopp said: 'A bad start is better than a bad finish.' But what does this 'finish' refer to? The European Championship in two years, the World Cup in four years, or a turnaround in this Nations League if we win the next four matches?

German players play for better clubs and have higher market values, yet we still lost to Greece. Since they won the European Championship in 2004, they haven't accomplished much. Similar situations happened in previous World Cups against Paraguay or Ecuador. The players must find solutions on the pitch. The demands Klopp places on his players were commonplace throughout my 20-year playing career. Running and winning duels are fundamental requirements; as for playing intelligently and finding solutions, that's the players' own responsibility."

Regarding Germany's squad composition,

Matthäus commented: "We have many excellent players, but currently, some positions lack individuals who can be decisive at the highest level, like Ballack, Lahm, or Klose were back then."

Regarding Klopp's decision to split the squad into two groups,

Matthäus said: "Let me reiterate: I agree with Klopp's approach of calling up two different teams. But there's one thing I don't understand: Kimmich is not only the captain of the first 22 players, but also the captain of the other group of players who met in Herzogenaurach on Monday. I would keep him on the roster for all four matches so the new players can get to know him too. Because, aside from the coach, the captain is also responsible for the team. Whether at training or playing in Munich, Kimmich is always full of passion. He is the undisputed leader of this German team, a status he has earned over many years, even decades."

Looking ahead to the next two matches,

Matthäus said: "The players need to shake off their burdens. Serge Gnabry needs to regain the form he had at Cologne, and Nico Schlotterbeck needs to rediscover the form he showed when he broke through at Munich. Some players are just coming back from injury, and others are going through difficult periods, so we can't expect miracles from them immediately. But the quality of the German players gives me hope.

Everything is still possible; we still have a chance. The head coach must lead a team with an adjusted squad to get results in the upcoming matches. But if Germany ultimately fails to reach the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, then we'll need to examine what worked and what didn't."

Traduit par IA.

Le site web d'AF est désormais en ligne ! Actualités complètes, commentaires, détails des matchs et statistiques sur votre ordinateur. Visitez : www.allfootballapp.com