I've watched all three Germany games, and this is a really poor German team. Maybe not quite as bad as their Euro 2000 team, but otherwise I don't remember seeing a worse one (including the WC three years ago - that team was a little unlucky with the draw and the results).
They lack skill and creativity going forwards - Gundogan looks knackered, Kroos/Muller are well past their best, and the likes of Gnabry, Werner and Sane are workmanlike footballers at this level. And then on top of that, they look really porous at the back - Hummels is so slow nowadays, Neuer was always eccentric but now doesn't have the reactions he used to and it often felt like Rudiger was having to fill in massive gaps everywhere.
The only positive thing I would say is that their wing backs (Gosens/Kimmich) look decent.
France beat them comfortably without ever getting out of first gear, they were lucky to get a point against a Hungary side that barely attacked them over the 90 minutes. The only reason they're still here is one 25 minute period against Portugal where they exploited their terrible fullbacks and the fact that Pepe is now 103 years old, and has no business playing in international football any longer......
There's no excuse for England on Tuesday. We have the better squad, and this is a game we should be winning. Southgate has failed if we don't.
I would be playing pace on both flanks (Saka deserves to play after his Czech showing opposite from Stirling). I think that way you force their wing backs to have to get back and help - because there's no way that Hummels & Ginter will be able to cope if they don't - and that takes away their main attacking threat. Then play Grealish or Foden at the front of the midfield three with Rice & Phillips in behind.
But I suspect Southgate will show us something more conservative than that.......
