Germany’s 3-2 Defeat To Belgium Offers Important Takeaways For Hansi Flick

For the first time since 1954, Belgium has beaten Germany on German soil. And although the result was close, Germany was lucky that the 3-2 defeat to their neighbors was not more decisive after a disastrous first 20 minutes in which Belgium took the lead thanks to goals by Romelu Lukaku (6’) and Yannick Carrasco (9’).

More chances followed, and Hertha Berlin striker Dodi Lukebakio had several chances to make it 3-0, which would have ended the contest early on. “We were too cautious, too passive, and weren’t able to put our opponents under pressure, and Belgium took full advantage,” German national team head coach Hansi Flick said about his side’s start.

Then just before half-time, Germany was awarded a penalty after a Niclas Füllkrug header. Füllkrug stepped up and converted the spot-kick (44’).

What followed was Germany’s best spell of the game, and at one point, it even appeared that they had found the equalizer, but Timo Werner’s goal was ruled offside. Germany had more chances, and Serge Gnabry, in particular, should have found the equalizer.

Instead, Kevin de Bruyne, perhaps the best player on the pitch, scored the third goal for the Red Devils from a counter (78’). But even then, Germany was not fully beaten, and, finally, in the 87th minute, Gnabry found the back of the net.

“Our passion brought us back into contention, but it wasn’t quite enough to get a result,” Flick said. Indeed, Germany threw everything at Belgium, and even goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen joined the attack for the game’s two final corners.

Ultimately, the Gnabry goal, however, was too little too late, and the bottom line is a more than deserved defeat to Belgium. What, then, can Germany boss Flick take away from the two games against Peru and Belgium?

The negative has certainly been the defense. Germany was without Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle, and Nico Schlotterbeck against Belgium, and it showed. The second guard, Matthias Ginter and Thilo Kehrer, highlighted against Belgium that they are not consistent enough against the world’s elite.

Among the back-four, only Dortmund right-back Marius Wolf stood out. Previously an attacking midfielder, Wolf was always considered a player of high potential among his coaches, but whether it was 1860 Munich, Köln, or Dortmund, he never fully showed his potential. Only at Frankfurt, could one see what Wolf is capable of doing when he receives the full trust of his head coach.

That was the case during his second spell at Dortmund, where head coach Edin Terzic turned him into a right-back. One of the fastest players (34.5km/h) in the Bundesliga, Wolf has the speed, technique, and willingness to fight to become a top wing-back and a more consistent option for Germany’s back four.

Wolf’s Dortmund teammate Emre Can is another winner of the international break. Can came on in the 32nd minute for Florian Wirtz and quickly stabilized Germany. Playing almost like a libero, Can quarterbacked Germany, completing 91% of his 57 passes and winning 100% of his tackles. The 29-year-old seems to have regained his Liverpool form and how he has played in recent weeks for Dortmund, he could finally become a crucial player for Germany, and a serious alternative to Leon Goretzka, who was substituted with a muscle injury.

Another positive was Flick himself. Germany struggled in the first 20 minutes, and a higher defeat was possible. Flick, however, reacted quickly, and brought on Can for Wirtz and Felix Nmecha for Goretzka. Those two substitutions prevented a bigger defeat and allowed Germany to almost come back into the game.

What follows next, however, will be equally important for Flick’s team. There must be consequences from this defeat. Certainly, the national team is better when key players return, but tactically Flick cannot find himself be outcoached in such a manner if Germany wants to be successful at the 2024 European Championships.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth