ANTONIO Rudiger was the last German player to leave the pitch at the Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday night. He didn’t want to leave the World Cup in Qatar this early. But there was nothing Germany could do. Four years after a disappointment in Russia, there was similar pain. Once again, they had crashed out at the group stage.

It is unfathomable for a nation that had progressed to the knockouts in 16 straight editions of the World Cup since 1954. There were tears in the eyes of those on the substitutes’ bench. Germany were not expected to have such a short sojourn in Qatar, especially after Hansi Flick’s arrival as head coach had led them out of a period of stagnation under Jocahim Loew, the man who led them to glory in Brazil eight years ago.

The side had shown a lot of promise under Flick with players like the 19-year-old Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, who came off the bench and got two goals in the 4-2 win over Costa Rica that was ultimately rendered futile in a gripping finale to Group ‘E’ that saw Japan stun Spain 2-1 to clinch top spot ahead of the Luis Enrique’s side who edged the Germans on goal difference.

The inquest will begin now. Germany are set to host the European Championships in two years time but the current lot seem like also-rans rather than contenders. “We start again from zero,” Rudiger told reporters in the aftermath of Germany’s World Cup exit. Thomas Mueller, one of the veterans of this side, hinted at retirement and called it “an absolute catastrophe”. Joshua Kimmich termed it the “worst day of his career”.

Perhaps the most scathing assessment of the German team came from Bastian Schweinsteiger, a member of their 2014 World Cup-winning squad who is on broadcasting duty in Qatar with German network ARD.

“The appearance of the national team is not enough, that’s not enough,” said Schweinsteiger. “We invited the opponent. The fundamental problem is that we often invite the opponent.”

Schweinsteiger’s comments ring true with the events that transpired at Al Bayt. Germany could’ve been out of sight but only had a 1-0 lead to show at half-time. It saw the Costa Ricans storm back to take a 2-1 lead, momentarily raising hopes of potentially sending Spain back home with Germany. With their victory, Germany saved Spain but instead they sunk themselves and now have to get back up.

In his press conference, Flick said it was too early to say if he would continue as coach. But it is pretty evident that he’s been unable to work his magic with Germany the same way as he did at Bayern Munich. At Bayern, he had a prolific marksman in Robert Lewandowski at the top of his attack. Germany don’t have a player close to him. Flick’s high press, high intensity approach didn’t work for Germany at the World Cup, especially in their opening game against Japan, which they lost 2-1.

“I think we went out today because of our result against Japan,” Germany’s midfield general Ilkay Gundogan told reporters.

“We need to be honest, we are lacking a lot of things, perhaps there is a lack of quality. We were not able to perform at our best level. We were not able to perform as a team.”

That’s precisely what Flick, if he stays on, needs to work on if Germany are to return to world football’s top table.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2022