The soccer players and Martina Voss-Tecklenburg reacted to the lesson against Brazil with clear self-criticism.
The national coach admitted in Nuremberg 100 days before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand: “We have been warned that we won’t win games at this level with 80 or 90 percent.” After the 1: 2 (0: 2) against the clearly superior South American champions, the 55-year-old had to take a deep breath and wanted to “watch a recording of the game in peace” before going into detail.
“If we play like that, we won’t get far at the World Cup,” said midfield clearer Lena Oberdorf. A promising red banner hung across the opposite grandstand in the Max Morlock Stadium: “A new goal – a great opportunity – to the 2023 World Cup in Australia.” At the World Cup, the German team could see Brazil again in the round of 16.
“Got into the game really, really badly”
In the friendly in front of 32,587 spectators, the European runners-up conceded early goals from Tamires (11th minute) and Ari Borges (37th). The goal from Oberdorf’s Wolfsburg club colleague Jule Brand (90.2) came too late against the playful and robust Seleção. “We got into the game really, really badly,” said Voss-Tecklenburg, complaining above all about the lack of resilience of her players.
After all, midfielder Melanie Leupolz from Chelsea celebrated a successful comeback in the DFB jersey just six months after the birth of her son. Former Olympique Lyon captain Dzsenifer Marozsan, who was also a substitute, was dismissed from the national team ahead of her 112th cap and on a lap of honor after the final whistle. After a cruciate ligament rupture last year, the 30-year-old’s knee is no longer so resilient, which is why she announced her retirement from the national team.
Popp: “Of course we’re disappointed now”
The current captain, Alexandra Popp, had to stay in the dressing room at half-time due to a foot injury and was also not sparing in criticism. “Of course we already know that the way we played today won’t be enough at the World Cup,” said the EM star from Wolfsburg. “Of course we’re disappointed at first. The two international matches have already shown us a lot,” said Bayern player Sydney Lohmann. Brazil also showed “what kind of toughness we can expect at the World Cup”.
At the tournament from July 20th to August 20th, Germany will meet Morocco, Colombia and South Korea in the preliminary round. Before that, there are two training camps in Herzogenaurach, each with a home international match in June and July.
