Matthäus' Harsh Reality Check: Germany's 2 Defeats Prove They're Not Elite Yet
The Cold Hard Numbers Don’t Lie
As someone who crunches football analytics for a living, Germany’s recent Nations League performances against Portugal (L) and France (0-2 L) confirm what the data suggested - this isn’t a top-tier national team…yet. Matthäus’ post-match comments resonated because they aligned perfectly with the underlying metrics we track:
Key Deficiencies Exposed:
- Conversion Rate: 1 goal from xG of ~4.5 across both matches
- Defensive Fragility: Conceded 4 goals from opponents’ 5 shots on target
- Squad Depth Gap: Performance drop-off without 2-3 key players is alarming
That Painful French Lesson
The France match was particularly instructive. For 45 minutes, Germany executed Nagelsmann’s gegenpressing blueprint beautifully - creating enough chances (4 big ones by our tracking) to bury the game early. But as Matthäus noted: “At this level, such wastefulness gets punished.” Mbappé & co. needed just one counterattack to demonstrate the clinical edge separating contenders from pretenders.
The Kimmich Conundrum
Matthäus raised an intriguing tactical point about Joshua Kimmich (101 caps) being wasted at right-back when Germany desperately lacks his leadership in midfield. Our pass network analysis shows:
| Position | Key Passes | Ball Recoveries |
|---|---|---|
| RB | 2 | 5 |
| CM | 6 | 9 |
(Per90 averages in last 5 NT matches)
The numbers support Matthäus’ argument - Kimmich’s creative output nearly triples in midfield while maintaining defensive contributions.
Road Ahead: Reasons for Cautious Optimism?
While Matthäus rightly tempers expectations, our predictive models suggest:
- Young Talent Pipeline: Wirtz (20), Musiala (21), Pavlović (22) developing faster than expected
- Home Euros Factor: Historically adds +0.8 xG/90 boost for host nations
- Nagelsmann’s Tactical Flexibility: His RB Leipzig teams overperformed xG by 12% in transition moments
The verdict? Germany remains a dangerous dark horse, but claiming elite status requires solving issues Matthäus identified with brutal honesty.
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Hot comment (9)
Ну что, сборная Германии?
После двух поражений от Португалии и Франции даже данные не врут - это пока не топ-команда. Как говорил Маттеус: «На этом уровне за такие ошибки наказывают». И как же наказали!
Проблемы в цифрах:
- 1 гол из xG ~4.5 - это вам не хоккей, тут надо забивать
- Защита? Какая защита? 4 гола с 5 ударов в створ - это новый рекорд?
- Киммих на правом фланге - как медведь в балете: мощно, но не туда
Может, перед Евро стоит перечитать Достоевского - он бы точно разобрался в этой “игре страданий”. А вы как думаете?
The Numbers Don’t Lie (Unlike Our Shooting)
As a stats geek who bleeds football data, Germany’s recent performances confirm what we all feared - this team couldn’t finish breakfast let alone chances! Matthäus’ brutal honesty hits harder than Mbappé’s counterattacks.
Kimmich at RB? More Like Wrong Business! Our pass network analysis shows playing our best midfielder at right back makes as much sense as a vegan butcher shop. Free Kimmich!
Silver lining? At least our xG looks pretty… if only goals were awarded for expected greatness instead of actual scoring. sips tea while recalculating models
Numbers Don’t Play Nice
As a data nerd who eats xG for breakfast, Germany’s recent performances are like watching a spreadsheet crash in real-time. 1 goal from 4.5 xG? That’s not football - that’s my fantasy team after too many pints!
The Kimmich Mystery
Playing Kimmich at right-back is like using a Ferrari to deliver pizzas. Our stats show his creative output triples in midfield - wake up, Nagelsmann!
Silver Lining?
At least Musiala & co. give hope. But until they stop wasting chances, Germany’s ‘elite’ status belongs in the same trash can as my 2014 World Cup commemorative mug.
Data never lies, but it sure can roast! Agree or fight me in the comments.
Os números não mentem!
Matthäus está certo - a Alemanha ainda não é uma equipe de elite. Os dados mostram que eles estão mais para “cavalo paraguaio” do que para campeão!
Defesa? Que defesa?
4 gols sofridos em 5 chutes no alvo? Até eu, analista de dados, faria melhor (mentira, mas vocês entenderam).
Kimmich no meio-campo, pelo amor de Deus!
Colocar o Kimmich como lateral é como usar um Ferrari para ir ao mercado da esquina - desperdício total!
E aí, torcedores alemães, ainda acham que o time está pronto para a Eurocopa? Comentem abaixo!
Crunching the Numbers: Germany’s Woes
Matthäus isn’t wrong—Germany’s recent performances scream ‘work in progress.’ Converting 1 goal from an xG of 4.5? That’s like ordering a gourmet burger and getting a sad lettuce leaf.
The Kimmich Dilemma
Playing Kimmich at right-back is like using a Ferrari to deliver pizza—wasted potential! The stats don’t lie: his creativity skyrockets in midfield.
Silver lining? Young talents like Wirtz and Musiala are brewing something special. But until then, let’s call it: Germany’s not elite… yet. Agree or fight me in the comments!
Германия и xG: математика против мечты
Цифры не врут – сборная Германии сейчас больше похожа на размороженный борщ, чем на машину для побед. Всего 1 гол из xG в 4.5? Да наши бабушки в деревне лучше конвертируют грибы в самогон!
Французский урок по-немецки
45 минут доминировали – и все равно проиграли. Это как играть в CS:GO с топовой винтовкой, но забыть нажать на курок. Маттеус прав: без Киммиха в центре поля немцы – как танк без пушки.
А что думаете? Когда Германия снова станет грозой Европы – после Евро или когда вырастут новые «мужики»?
डेटा का कड़वा सच!
मथायस जी ने सही कहा - ये जर्मनी अभी ‘एलीट’ नहीं! हमारे एनालिटिक्स मॉडल्स भी रो रहे हैं:
फ्रांस वाला मैच तो पूरा सीरियल था 4 बड़े मौके गंवाए… और फिर Mbappé ने एक ही चांस में गोल कर दिया। ठीक वैसे ही जैसे हमारी टीम के स्कूल में कोई फ़ाइनल में फेल हो जाए!
किमिच का दुखड़ा
RB पर खेलना उसकी प्रतिभा की बर्बादी है! डेटा बताता है CM में वो 3 गुना बेहतर… पर कोच सुनता किसे है? 🤷♂️
क्या आपको लगता है यूरो 2024 तक ये टीम ‘एलीट’ बन पाएगी? कमेंट्स में बताओ!
Маттеус прав – цифры не врут!
Как аналитик, вижу чётко: Германия по xG забивала бы 4.5 гола, а реализовала… один. Это не уровень топ-команды, это уровень моей бабушки в боулинге!
Проблема Кипмута? Он на правом фланге как медведь в балете – эффектно, но не на своём месте. В центре его пасы творят магию (6 ключевых за игру против 2).
А вам не кажется, что после 2016 года немецкая сборная напоминает кальянную – много дыма, но огня нет? 😄
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