Pre Match Notes

Germany’s Women’s National Team or the DFB Frauen are set to face Iceland for their second group meeting in the Women’s Euro Qualification. The DFB Frauen team is currently at the top of the table with 12 points. This match is also a good test for Germany, as the team starts preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Germany’s Olympic group consists of Australia, Zambia, and the United States, three challenging teams that are likely to push the DFB Frauen to their limits.

While Germany has been able to get their attack forward, and connect in the midfield and attack, the team needs to be more cautious when it comes to their backline and defense. Every now and then, Germany will slip up when they lose possession in a bad area, or when the opposing team is able to launch a counterattack. In regard to Iceland, it is likely Germany is going to come away with a win in this match. The DFB Frauen would walk away with a 3-1 win against Iceland in an earlier meeting. It is also likely that we’ll see that same strong possession and control that Germany has shown in past games.

However, the biggest challenge for Germany is going to come when the team does not have control and possession. How will the DFB Frauen respond? What will the team do when they find themselves under more pressure, under attack, and having to defend more often than they would like? These questions may not be resolved in this match; however, it is still something Germany needs to think about as they near the Olympics, and their Olympic Group.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Sarai Linder, Kathrin Hendrich, Giulia Gwinn, and Sara Doorsoun. In the midfield and attack: Jule Brand, Sjoeke Nüsken, Klara Bühl, Elisa Senß, Lea Schüller, and Nicole Anyomi.

Overall, it’s a good line up with plenty of strong attacking potential, especially with Brand, Bühl, and Schüller. It’s good to see Anyomi starting, and it will be interesting to see how she connects in the attack with Bühl and Schüller. The build-up plays between the midfield and attack are often good from this German side. Germany will definitely create many chances for the attack, however, the team needs to work on connecting in the box and finishing. Granted, the midfield and attack, normally, gets more adjusted as the match goes on; however, Germany should try to grab and early lead, as it will help them build more momentum and confidence.

Germany should not have any issues when it comes to control and possession in this match, but they still have to watch out for Iceland’s counterattacks and transitions, and be prepared to defend when it’s needed.

First Half Notes

Iceland 3-0.

Not the best performance from Germany in this half. In regard to the team’s defensive play, there were moments where Iceland was able to get behind the backline and locate gaps in the defense. The backline needs to do better closing down those spaces in the box. Additionally, there needs to be more support in the defense. Defending on set pieces, also needs to be cleaner.

In regard to Iceland’s counterattacks and transitions, Germany got better responding to those as the match went on. However, there needs to be more control and better support in the midfield. There were moments where it looked as though Iceland were able to overwhelm Germany’s midfield. That lack of support in the midfield also allowed for Iceland to transition, create plays, and breaking through Germany’s defense.

When it comes to Germany’s attack, the team has been able to get forward and create chances; however, these chances weren’t substantial, and posed no real threat to Iceland. Germany’s build-up plays were all right, but the attack would fall through upon reaching Iceland’s penalty area. Germany needs to be quicker with their crosses, touches and services, if they want to break through Iceland’s defense.

As seen in past games, Germany would often make a comeback in the second half. It is likely the team will be able to do that, but it will come down to whether they’ll be able to connect better in the attack and score goals.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Germany lose 3-0 to Iceland.

The second half was no better and no different than the first half. Mistakes in the backline and defense would leave Germany open for Iceland’s attack, and allow Iceland to grab two more goals in the second half. Despite Germany’s attack getting forward and creating plenty of chances, their services, touches and attempts on goal would fall short, once again, posing no real threat to Iceland. Iceland’s backline and defense were able to shut down Germany’s attack and recover possession without much issue. Germany’s connection in the attack, especially around the box, appeared disorganized and lacking when it came to chemistry and creativity. It was noticeable that Germany’s attack tended to fall through the most in the attacking third, and even with players like Freigang and Endemann coming in, the match still left much to be desired, and wound up being disappointing in the end.

Overall, it was a disappointing performance from this Germany side. It’s definitely NOT an Olympic worthy performance, but you can only hope that the team will get it together in the upcoming days. If this is how the DFB Frauen continues to play leading up to the Olympics, they have no chance of making it out of the Olympic group stage. The team as a whole, the players individually, need to find themselves, find each other (both literally and figuratively), and get things sorted out.