Die Mannschaft Match Analysis
It was not always pretty, but Joachim Löw may have learned some good things about this current German squad despite the 1:1 draw against Spain.
Take 1: Despite the overload of talent, the squad's most important field player is still Thomas Müller.
Müller accounted for the only German goal when he equalized the game in the 35th minute with a brilliant golazo. Losing the game would not have been the end of the world by any means, but it would have set a bad precedent. Müller subsequently put the team on his back and tied the game with his screamer. It may not always look as pretty as this one did, but Germany can always count on Müller to be the straw that stirs the drink.
Take 2: The defense has to be more stable.
The expectation from the back line of Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng was not perfection, but the breakdown that led to Spain's goal cannot happen and the Bayern Munich center back duo would be the first to admit that. The twosome had some very good moments and will undoubtedly be more in sync closer to the World Cup. Joshua Kimmich and Jonas Hector also had shaky moments, but also were able to display the talents that earned them starting spots. It's not time to panic by any means, but it is something to keep an eye on.
Take 3: Timo Werner is going to have a huge World Cup.
There was some griping online that the RB Leipzig speedster did not finish any of his chances today, but Werner was an absolute menace that could not be contained. Surrounded by Müller, Meszut Ozil, Toni Kroos, and Julian Draxler (along with cameos from Leroy Sané, Leon Goretzka, and İlkay Gündoğan), Werner displayed the pace and athleticism that will give the opposition nightmares. The finishing will come and we should not forget that Werner also created several chances for other players that were not finished by his teammates.
Take 4: Low has versatile weapons in Draxler and Sané and will deploy them to fit what he wants to do against a particular opponent.
For whatever reason, Draxler seems to elicit an eye roll or at least a grumble in certain segments of the Die Mannschaft fan group. Despite those detractors, Draxler had himself an excellent showing and looked in sync with the rest of his offensive mates. Sané, who eventually subbed in for Draxler, brings his own unique skill-set and can create a different type of havoc for Low. The options that both provide Löw will make Germany a headache for just about anyone it faces off with.
Take 5: Manuel Neuer is still the best, but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is damn good.
No one would dare challenge Neuer's spot atop Germany's - or the world's for that matter - goalkeeper pecking order; but Ter Stegen is asserting himself as one of the elite. Against Spain, Ter Stegen dueled with Manchester United's David De Gea, who many consider the 1b to Neuer's 1a, and was superb. When Neuer comes back, he is the starter, but if he encounters any further injury issues, Germany is in good hands with Ter Stegen.
Summary
A draw is a draw, but for the first international game in 2018, it was not a bad showing for either side. Should Germany have been a little more crisp AND a little less susceptible to Spain's counter attack? Sure, but the rough patches that Germany can be smoothed over in due time. A win would have been nice, but hey, Spain is no slouch and this is exactly why you play top competition during the friendlies leading up the World Cup summer showcase.
