Sané sees red: defeat in Austria – Germany is tumbling into the European Championship year

The last international test of the year is also causing a hangover in German football: after losing to Turkey, Germany also lost to Austria. Especially in the first half, error-prone, unimaginative, uninspired – Germany lost to hosts Austria 0-2 (0-1) in Vienna on Tuesday evening (11/21/23).

Marcel Sabitzer, one of eight Bundesliga professionals in the Austrian starting eleven, scored with a precision shot to give the Austrians the lead (29th). Shortly after the break, Leroy Sané was thrown off the pitch because of an assault (49th). Then Christoph Baumgartner increased for red-white-red (73′). In view of the DFB selection’s disillusioning performance for a long time, there is growing concern before the European Championship finals in football Germany about another embarrassing defeat at a major tournament – which is also taking place at home. “It couldn’t be any worse”said Captain Ilkay Gündogan on ZDF, “That’s probably the only positive aspect”.

When asked about the reasons for the defeat, Gündogan said: “It was all homemade. Leroy’s red card sums it all up. The frustration, the disappointment. We made it far too easy for the Austrians. We weren’t good enough.”said Gündogan.

With three changes to the starting lineup, Nagelsmann wanted the “variability” already testing with the prospect of the tournament next summer: With Leon Goretzka for Joshua Kimmich in the double six next to Ilkay Gündogan, with Mats Hummels for Benjamin Henrichs, and with Serge Gnabry for Florian Wirtz. And again with Kai Havertz in the left position in the back four.

Strange start to the game

The German team’s start to this game looked promising: in the first quarter of an hour, Austria had little access to the ball and the opponent, and Germany pushed the hosts into their half. And yet: Austria had an incredible three chances to score in this phase – and what a few! First, Christoph Baumgartner missed a shot attempt. But then Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch actually had to score two goals: Twice he appeared alone in front of Kevin Trapp in the German box, once the Austrian attacker shot next to the goal, once the keeper parried with a monster reflex.

Frequent and quick ball losses

As was the case against Turkey three days earlier, the German team’s game in the first half of the game was characterized by many errors in the play, particularly in the build-up of the game. The Austrians, who were always aggressive, made the space narrow for the German players who were passing or carrying the ball, who were so often sent into mistakes. In particular, the DFB offensive with Niklas Füllkrug, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané had almost no action.

Sabitzer with a precision goal

The vulnerability of the German defense, even to long balls, was shown once again with the opening goal: target player Gregoritsch let the ball bounce, Sabitzer picked up the ball to the left of Baumgartner in midfield, ran towards the goal, wobbled Jonathan Tah and put the ball flat from 18 meters through Tah’s legs precisely next to the left post.

Nagelsmann’s team’s first shot on goal: after 32 minutes

It took until the 32nd minute for national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team to get their first shot on the Austrian goal: Sané shot, but Anton Schlager in the hosts’ box didn’t have much trouble with the attempt. In the 41st minute, the DFB team’s second shot on goal, but Gnabry also failed – very clearly.

Too little emotion in the Turkey game: Sané misunderstands Nagelsmann’s demand

After the break, Sané provided the first German emotional highlight – albeit in a clearly inglorious direction. After the performance against Turkey, Nagelsmann denounced a lack of emotionality. The Bayern star misunderstood this because after a foul on Mwene, the Austrian pushed against Sané, who then hit Mwene’s neck with both hands in an exaggerated manner and was obviously clearly frustrated. Sané was shown red for assault and Mwene was shown a yellow card.

Nagelsmann and assistant coach Sandro Wagner then had to completely renovate the team: Wirtz, Robert Andrich, Benjamin Henrichs and Joshua Kimmich came into the game in the 60th minute after Thomas Müller had already been sent onto the field.

“Oh, how beautiful!”

But the conversion didn’t bring anything – on the contrary, because Stefan Posch and then Gregoritsch missed good opportunities. As a result, Ralf Rangnick’s team needed some time to adjust to the new German formation. But when David Alaba looked for Gregoritsch as “Wall” and he sent Baumgartner on his way perfectly, the Austrian fans sang “Oh, how beautiful that is!” Because Baumgartner, who plays for RB Leipzig, gave Trapp no ​​chance.

Germany didn’t give up – that’s the only good news from a German perspective that evening. Kimmich put a long-range shot just over the box, and a little later Wirtz forced Schlager into his best save of the evening with another cracker from a distance.

Shame on Vienna

In the final phase, Austria could have increased several times, but either way, the disgrace in Vienna and the ruined end to the year were perfect for the German team.