Germany vs Japan are two of the most successful footballing nations in the world, with a combined eight World Cup titles between them. However, on September 9, 2023, Japan stunned Germany with a 4-1 victory in an international friendly.
The match was played at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany. Japan took the lead in the 11th minute through Junya Ito and doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute through Ayase Ueda. Leroy Sane pulled one back for Germany in the 19th minute, but Japan sealed the win with two late goals from Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada.
The defeat was a major blow for Germany, who are preparing for Euro 2024, which they will be hosting. The loss also raises questions about the future of coach Hansi Flick, who has been in charge of the team since 2021.
Gündoğan’s Performance in Germany vs Japan
İlkay Gündoğan was one of Germany’s better players on the night, but he was unable to prevent the defeat. The Manchester City midfielder played in a holding role and did his best to protect the defense, but he was often outnumbered by the Japanese midfielders.
Gündoğan did have a few chances to score, but he was denied by the Japanese goalkeeper, Kosuke Nakamura. Overall, it was a frustrating night for Gündoğan, but he will be hoping to put it behind him and help Germany get back to winning ways.
Japan’s Attacking Thrust Germany vs Japan
Japan were the better team on the night and deserved their victory. They were much more clinical in front of goal than Germany, and they also showed a lot of creativity in attack.
The Japanese forwards, Ito, Ueda, and Kubo, were all a constant threat, and they caused the German defense a lot of problems. Japan also had a good balance in midfield, which allowed them to control the game for long periods.
Germany’s Defensive Problems
Germany’s defense was exposed on several occasions during the match. They were caught out by Japan’s quick passing and movement, and they also made some individual errors.
The German center-backs, Antonio Rüdiger and Niklas Süle, were particularly poor. They were slow to react to the Japanese attacks, and they were also caught out of position on a number of occasions.
Flick’s Future in Doubt?
The defeat to Japan has put Flick’s future as Germany’s coach in doubt. He has been under pressure for some time, and this latest result is unlikely to help his cause.
Flick has been criticized for his team selection and tactics, and he has also been accused of losing the dressing room. If Germany fails to improve in the coming months, Flick could be replaced before Euro 2024.
What Does the Defeat Mean for Germany?
The defeat of Japan was a major setback for Germany. It is their third consecutive loss, and it raises serious questions about their preparations for Euro 2024.
Germany will need to make some changes if they want to be successful at the Euros. They need to find a way to fix their defensive problems, and they also need to be more clinical in front of goal.
The Way Forward for Germany
Germany has a lot of work to do if they want to be successful at Euro 2024. They need to find a new coach, and they need to make some changes to their team.
The good news is that Germany has a lot of talented players. They have a strong squad, and they should be able to compete with the best teams in Europe. However, they need to start performing like a team if they want to achieve their goals.
Conclusion
The defeat of Japan was a major wake-up call for Germany. They need to take action if they want to be successful at Euro 2024. The clock is ticking, and they don’t have much time to turn things around.
