Three Observations from Germany’s thrilling 4-3 win over Switzerland
Sometimes, you can be too clever
mJulian Nagelsmann considers himself a tactician, but at some point the tactics outgm
row their purpose. The system Germany used against Switzerland was an overcomplicated, overwrought mess.
The front four was perfectly fluid, with Kai Havertz acting as a focal point while Florian Wirtz occupied the center. Serge Gnabry drifted onto the right while Leroy Sané hugged the touchline, creating a heavy overload on the right. Joshua Kimmich inverted centrally, allowing the other fullback (David Raum) to push up incredibly high.
In effect, a standard 4-2-3-1 started looking like a 2-1-2-5 with acres of space behind the midfield. That became a problem whenever Switzerland got the ball, because they quickly had space to run into on the flanks. Germany fought back with high intensity gegenpressing, but it wasn’t enough. Judging by the three conceded goals, the defensive structure left a lot to be desired.
Individual performances can be blamed, of course. Kai Havertz was not great, and neither was Leroy Sané. Jonathan Tah made a mistake on the 2nd conceded goal, and Oliver Baumann couldn’t make a single save. Still, for a system at the national team level, Nagelsmann has concocted something beastly. There are so many offensive modes, so many tiny little moving parts. Kimmich alone plays three different positions at the same time.
It would be worth scaling back the complexity and focusing more on directness. Germany did just that after the subs, as Joshua Kimmich practiced more positional discipline — perhaps to help Lennart Karl who lacks the defensive work rate of Leroy Sané. Gnabry went back to the left and Woltemade acted as a more traditional #9, leading to more directness and overall better play.
Going forward, that is the archetype Germany should target. Nagelsmann cannot afford to overthink it.
mJulian Nagelsmann considers himself a tactician, but at some point the tactics outgm
row their purpose. The system Germany used against Switzerland was an overcomplicated, overwrought mess.
The front four was perfectly fluid, with Kai Havertz acting as a focal point while Florian Wirtz occupied the center. Serge Gnabry drifted onto the right while Leroy Sané hugged the touchline, creating a heavy overload on the right. Joshua Kimmich inverted centrally, allowing the other fullback (David Raum) to push up incredibly high.
In effect, a standard 4-2-3-1 started looking like a 2-1-2-5 with acres of space behind the midfield. That became a problem whenever Switzerland got the ball, because they quickly had space to run into on the flanks. Germany fought back with high intensity gegenpressing, but it wasn’t enough. Judging by the three conceded goals, the defensive structure left a lot to be desired.
Individual performances can be blamed, of course. Kai Havertz was not great, and neither was Leroy Sané. Jonathan Tah made a mistake on the 2nd conceded goal, and Oliver Baumann couldn’t make a single save. Still, for a system at the national team level, Nagelsmann has concocted something beastly. There are so many offensive modes, so many tiny little moving parts. Kimmich alone plays three different positions at the same time.
It would be worth scaling back the complexity and focusing more on directness. Germany did just that after the subs, as Joshua Kimmich practiced more positional discipline — perhaps to help Lennart Karl who lacks the defensive work rate of Leroy Sané. Gnabry went back to the left and Woltemade acted as a more traditional #9, leading to more directness and overall better play.
Going forward, that is the archetype Germany should target. Nagelsmann cannot afford to overthink it.
Florian Wirtz is the first name on the team sheet
Arne Slot must be the worst manager in the world, because there is no way Liverpool FC can be struggling with Florian Wirtz in their team.
Two goals and two assists were just the highlights of a superlative performance, one that saw Wirtz making crisp one-touch passes and smooth interplay with teammates he sees once every few months. His positioning as an attacking midfielder was near perfect, always ready to pop up where the defense is most vulnerable. As for his shooting — well, the replays speak for themselves.
Preview: Switzerland vs Germany - prediction, team news, lineups
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fjulian-nagelsmann.jpg "Switzerland vs Germany - prediction, team news, lineups")
© ImagoGermany's clash with Switzerland at the latter's St. Jakob-Park on Friday will be key for both nations' preparation for World Cup 2026.
Both teams will play two friendly matches in the March international break, and those fixtures will be key for respective managers Murat Yakin and Julian Nagelsmann as they finalise their squads for this summer's tournament.
© ImagoGermany's clash with Switzerland at the latter's St. Jakob-Park on Friday will be key for both nations' preparation for World Cup 2026.
Both teams will play two friendly matches in the March international break, and those fixtures will be key for respective managers Murat Yakin and Julian Nagelsmann as they finalise their squads for this summer's tournament.
Arne Slot must be the worst manager in the world, because there is no way Liverpool FC can be struggling with Florian Wirtz in their team.
Two goals and two assists were just the highlights of a superlative performance, one that saw Wirtz making crisp one-touch passes and smooth interplay with teammates he sees once every few months. His positioning as an attacking midfielder was near perfect, always ready to pop up where the defense is most vulnerable. As for his shooting — well, the replays speak for themselves.
Preview: Switzerland vs Germany - prediction, team news, lineups
Germany's clash with Switzerland at the latter's St. Jakob-Park on Friday will be key for both nations' preparation for World Cup 2026.
Both teams will play two friendly matches in the March international break, and those fixtures will be key for respective managers Murat Yakin and Julian Nagelsmann as they finalise their squads for this summer's tournament.
Germany's clash with Switzerland at the latter's St. Jakob-Park on Friday will be key for both nations' preparation for World Cup 2026.
Both teams will play two friendly matches in the March international break, and those fixtures will be key for respective managers Murat Yakin and Julian Nagelsmann as they finalise their squads for this summer's tournament.
Match preview
Switzerland were among Europe's most impressive nations in their qualifying campaign having finished first in their four-team group with 14 points, winning four times while avoiding defeat.
They also only conceded twice in their group while scoring 14 goals, and they are currently unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions.
Of the 54 nations in UEFA's qualifying bracket, only England conceded fewer goals (zero), but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 13 clashes with Germany.
ossocrociati's turnaround in fortunes - they have won seven of their nine most recent outings - has been remarkable considering they had failed to claim victory in 10 of their prior 11.
A triumph for Yakin's side would be their fifth consecutive triumph at St. Jakob-Park, and it would also be their seventh game without defeat at home.
Germany topped their qualifying group, taking 15 points from a possible 18, netting all 16 of their goals in their final five group clashes.
There are high expectations on Nagelsmann to deliver given how highly regarded he is as a manager, but while he guided the team to five wins in their past five matches, they had lost three and drawn one of their previous four games.
Die Nationalelf last faced Switzerland in June 2024, drawing 1-1 with their opponents, and that was their third consecutive stalemate with Friday's hosts.
Germany have kept four clean sheets in a row, though the highest FIFA-ranked team they faced in those clashes was Slovakia, who are in 44th place in world rankings.
The visitors have only experienced one loss in their seven most recent away trips, with the nation getting the better of their opponents on four occasions.
Switzerland were among Europe's most impressive nations in their qualifying campaign having finished first in their four-team group with 14 points, winning four times while avoiding defeat.
They also only conceded twice in their group while scoring 14 goals, and they are currently unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions.
Of the 54 nations in UEFA's qualifying bracket, only England conceded fewer goals (zero), but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 13 clashes with Germany.
ossocrociati's turnaround in fortunes - they have won seven of their nine most recent outings - has been remarkable considering they had failed to claim victory in 10 of their prior 11.
A triumph for Yakin's side would be their fifth consecutive triumph at St. Jakob-Park, and it would also be their seventh game without defeat at home.
Germany topped their qualifying group, taking 15 points from a possible 18, netting all 16 of their goals in their final five group clashes.
There are high expectations on Nagelsmann to deliver given how highly regarded he is as a manager, but while he guided the team to five wins in their past five matches, they had lost three and drawn one of their previous four games.
Die Nationalelf last faced Switzerland in June 2024, drawing 1-1 with their opponents, and that was their third consecutive stalemate with Friday's hosts.
Germany have kept four clean sheets in a row, though the highest FIFA-ranked team they faced in those clashes was Slovakia, who are in 44th place in world rankings.
The visitors have only experienced one loss in their seven most recent away trips, with the nation getting the better of their opponents on four occasions.
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