The German media made headlines after last Monday's Germany v Ukraine (3-3) friendly in Bremen, criticising the performance of the national team and its head coach, Hansi Fliek.
Sportbuzzer: "Flick walks a fine line"
Germany did not cover themselves in glory in the match against Ukraine and narrowly escaped defeat. Head coach Hansi Flick must reconsider two decisions: the replacement of Nicolas Fühlkrug and the three-back tactic.
The fans in Bremen made it clear what they thought of the actions taken by the national team coach, who replaced striker Fühlkrug at half-time when the score was 1-2: first a shrill whistle, then chanting "Niklas Fühlkrug".
In purely sporting terms, Flick made no mistake as substitute Kai Havertz scored to make the score 2-3 and then earned a penalty, which Joshua Kimmich converted, but such a decision was simply difficult to understand emotionally.
Nor does it speak in Flick's favour that another experiment, namely the switch to playing three defenders, failed. The 'tough Hansi' still has no axe or line.
Filk is walking a fine line. Because successes are still lacking - before the 3-3 with Ukraine it was 2-3 with Belgium - the criticism is growing louder and the euphoria twelve months before the home Euro 2024 is certainly not growing. Flick and his wobbly team must now prove themselves in the next two matches - against Poland and Colombia.
Eurosport: "The German team showed themselves sluggish in the game and ended up with a happy draw against Ukraine".
The German national team in their friendly with Ukraine showed at times a dismal game in defence. It was obvious: Hansi Flick's experiment with three defenders was a failure. However, the national team coach wants to stick to his plan. Apparently, it's important to remember that hope springs eternal. Especially when it comes to inspirational, sustained performances from the national team.
In Bremen, the German national team showed themselves to be sluggish in the game and ended up with a happy draw against Ukraine. In the duel between the teams, ranked 14th and 30th by FIFA, it was clear to see who was more motivated and passionate on the pitch: the visitors. Ukraine turned the game around with their tenacity and determination, leading 3-1 in the 56th minute.
The negative trend, a continuation of the story of their disappointing exit to the World Cup in Qatar, was evident. And that's putting it mildly. The co-ordination in the three defenders, chosen by Flick as an experiment for the three international matches in June, was not at all correct. After an hour, Flick switched back to a back four that was more familiar to the players, and that brought more stability.
SkySport: "Risk of failure for third tournament in a row"
Three matches, just one win, two goals conceded. The performance of the national team in the run-up to the home Euro 2024 continues to be a cause for concern. German head coach Hansi Fliek needs to find a proven team for the upcoming tournament quickly.
After beating Peru 2-0 in March and losing to Belgium 2-3, we drew 3-3 with Ukraine on Monday. And it must be said that it wasn't just the wretched defensive performance of the German side that was undeserving in that game. Unless Flick manages to steer the team in the right direction, there is a risk of failing a third tournament in a row.
The mood in Bremen quickly changed after three conceded goals. The fans whistled and sang Werder songs. The fact that it was "only" a friendly after a long season may be an explanation, but not an excuse.
The German team has used 19 (!) different defensive schemes in the last 20 games. Of course, a coach has to try different things, but too much experimentation can throw a team off balance. That's what we saw in the match against Ukraine.
Web.de: "Hole Defense".
Flick's experiment with three defenders failed miserably. The coach still wants to stick with this scheme of play in matches against Poland and Colombia, but there is a lot of work to be done to stabilise the leaky defence a year before the start of Euro 2024 at home.
Flick switched to a back four as the second half progressed, but with the big goal in 2024 he needs another system we can play in."
The head coach is yet to find a way to fix the list of shortcomings that existed under his predecessor, Joachim Löwe.
Stern: "Flick looked like he was on the bench at the post-match press conference".
The pressure is mounting on Hansi Flik. After the game against Ukraine, the coach was bombarded with penetrating questions that, a year before the European Championship at home, added a new dimension to the 2006 crisis. Flik, in his post-match press conference, looked as if he were sitting on the dock.
Six months after his unfortunate failure at the 2022 World Cup, Flick has no suitable compass to successfully lead the national team to a home Euro 2024.
German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf and the organisation's sporting director Rudi Völler watched the game against Ukraine with petrified faces. The German national team cannot afford a fourth successive unsuccessful tournament, either athletically or financially.
FocusOnline: "The three-back experiment has failed.
The German national team repeated the ups and downs in their friendly against Ukraine. Hansi Flik's experiment with three defenders failed. All three defenders got only 5.0 points in that game. At the same time, the efficiency of the team's attacking section should be much higher.
SueddeutscheZeitung: "Wild 3-3"
After the World Cup in Qatar, nothing has improved the German team's game. A wild 3-3 in Bremen only vindicates the dubious overall impression of the team. Germany's head coach Hansi Fliek is increasingly losing sovereignty of interpretation - and, apparently, his sense of humour as well.
The 3-3 draw against Ukraine reinforces the impression that the national team are not progressing under Flick's leadership.
Prepared by Alexander POPOV
