Horst Hrubesch started the analysis on the pitch. The interim national coach spoke energetically to Lena Oberdorf and Lea Schüller – possibly to explain to the two national soccer players why the 2-0 (0-0) result in the Nations League duel with Iceland was so tough.
“We made it difficult for ourselves,” said Hrubesch at sportstudio.de. The frozen pitch didn’t play a role, said the 72-year-old: “We don’t want to look for excuses, we didn’t play well at times.”
Gwinn penalty paves the way
In the end it didn’t matter. In the fight for an Olympic ticket, the DFB team still has every chance because Giulia Gwinn (65th/foul penalty) and Klara Bühl (90th 4) scored goals in Reykjavík. The victory means the German team remains three points behind Denmark, who won 2-1 (2-0) against Wales. There will be a direct duel in Rostock on December 1st.
The analyzes after the labor victory in Iceland were all the same. “The final consistency was a bit lacking, especially in the first half,” said Lena Lattwein, goal scorer Bühl spoke of a “very, very difficult” game. “We’re glad we took the three points.” And Gwinn, who was successful from the penalty spot, summed up: “It wasn’t a nice game for us.”
Around 2,500 spectators in the Laugardalsvöllur stadium initially saw a DFB team get off to a lively start. After four minutes of play, Bühl rushed up the left side and Lea Schüller hit the crossbar with a precise cross (4th). “If he’s there, then the game obviously looks different,” said Schüller.
Shortly afterwards, Linda Dallmann aimed over it, as did central defender Kathrin Hendrich. Lattwein’s low shot deflected Iceland’s goalkeeper Sandra Sigurdardottir around the post. “We just have to convert the chances,” said Hrubesch.
Hrubesch reacts at the break
Germany dominated, Iceland retreated far. But the longer the game went on, the more unimaginative the guests appeared. As so often in recent months, there was a lack of precision and ideas against an opponent who defended deeply, and there were hardly any chances to score. Captain Svenja Huth hit a cross onto the crossbar, but the attempt seemed rather unintentional (32′).
Hrubesch reacted at halftime. As against Wales, he made two changes, Sjoeke Nüsken came on for Lattwein and Jule Brand replaced captain Huth. Brand, who had spent 90 minutes on the bench against Wales, missed the lead with a header shortly afterwards.
Overall, it was a tough game that would have remained goalless for a long time if goalkeeper Sigurdardottir hadn’t caused a penalty. After a cross from Lena Oberdorf, the Icelandic goalkeeper hit Bayern striker Schüller clearly in the face as she attempted to defend. Gwinn converted safely down the left. “I had a good feeling at that moment,” said the right-back, who had already scored from the spot in the first leg and most recently against Wales.
Five minutes before the end, DFB goalkeeper Ann-Kathrin Berger made it 1-0 when she won the direct duel against substitute Dilja Zomers. In stoppage time, Bühl made everything clear after a goalkeeper error.
