Pre-Match and Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Sarai Linder, Kathrin Hendrich, Marina Hegering, Giulia Gwinn. In the midfield and the attack, Lena Oberdorf, Sjoeke Nüsken, Svenja Huth, Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller, and Alexandra Popp.

Overall, this is a very strong lineup with good attacking players like Popp, Bühl, and Schüller. Additionally, there is great support in the midfield with Oberdorf, Nüsken, and Huth. Control and possession are going to be essential in order for the attack to get forward in this match. Germany’s midfield also needs to watch out for France’s counterattacks and transitions. France is perfectly capable of getting their attack off against Germany. In order to prevent those counterattacks, the midfield, and by extension the backline, needs to be prepared and ready to respond as quickly as possible.

If Germany wants to be successful in this match there needs to be good drive and support in the attack and in the box. Perhaps it would’ve been more effective if Hrubesch started Vivien Endemann on the right wing since she does have great pace and can get around defenders. On the upside, Huth down the wing will be able to connect with Popp, Bühl, and Schüller, provided that she, and the other attacking players, will be able to get past France’s defense. Additionally, Gwinn and Linder will be able to provide that support in the attack from the back. Connection in the attack is something we need to see from Germany’s attack. Additionally, the team is needing to finish and put away their chances.

When it comes to Germany’s backline and defense, it’s going to be interesting to see how they handle the French attack and counterattack. The French attack has the potential to be very dangerous to the German backline with players like Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Eugénie Le Sommer, Grace Geyoro, Kadidiatou Diani, and Selma Bacha, to name a few. These players can creatively move the ball down the pitch and effectively open up Germany’s backline.

Germany’s backline, since last year, has always been an area of contention for the national team. At times, the backline would get caught off guard by passes and through balls behind the backline, get outpaced by quick-moving forwards and midfielders, and their poor responses to opposing teams’ counterattacks and transitions have led to Germany’s downfall in the past. When it comes to this match against France, there needs to be better awareness in the backline, along with better support in the defense when it comes to defending against set pieces and corner kicks.

First Half Notes

France 2-0.

This is a very poor performance from Germany. There is no clear plan of attack from this German side. Germany has been sending long balls and passes up to Bühl, Schüller and Popp, and hoping for the best. All this is doing is turning over possession. There is no connection and movement in the midfield and attack, and because of that Germany hasn’t been able to get their attack forward. Instead of focusing on long passes up to attacking players, the team needs to work on moving the ball up the pitch, and maintaining control and stability that way. There needs to be more movement from the midfield and attack.

If Germany keeps trying to go for long passes and through balls, the French backline is going to read them and intercept them without issue. In order for Germany to be successful in the second half, there needs to be a change in strategy. There needs to be more urgency, drive, support, and movement in the midfield and attack. This current strategy isn’t working, and a plan of attack isn’t clear.

Second Half/Closing Notes

France Wins 2-1.

Goal scorer for Germany: Gwinn (PK).

A handball in the France box by Amandine Henry was confirmed by VAR, and Germany was awarded a penalty kick. Gwinn stepped up to take it against French goalkeeper keeper, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, and would convert.

The second half was significantly better than the first half. There was better control and movement in the midfield and attack, with the additions of Brand, Lohmann, and Däbritz. Brand, along with Däbritz and Linder, was able to create some good chances for the attack; however, it still wasn’t enough, and there was still a lack of connection in the box. Germany was able to get their attack forward, and there appeared to be a sense of urgency from the team as the match started to come to a close.

Moving forward, there needs to be more of a focus on building Germany’s attack. While it got better in the second half, if Germany wants to be successful in their upcoming matches, they need to develop their movement in the midfield and attack, along with their build-up plays. Additionally, support in the attack, and attacking chemistry, needs more focus as well.

It’s important to note that this is Germany’s first match of 2024. Even though losing is always disappointing, Germany now needs to win their game against the Netherlands to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This match against France showed that there is a lot Germany is needing to work on. There is still plenty of quality and talent on this team, but figuring out how to get these players to play together, in a way that will bring out their talents, along with figuring out what play-style works best for this team as a whole, would be good starting points.