Germany’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup began in disastrous fashion on 4 September as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Slovakia in Bratislava. Goals from David Hancko and David Strelec condemned Julian Nagelsmann’s side to their third successive loss, leaving the coach furious at his players’ lack of fight.
Despite dominating possession, Germany looked short of creativity in attack and fragile at the back. Hancko broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, while Strelec curled a superb strike into the top corner ten minutes after the restart. By the closing stages, German players were visibly frustrated, their body language betraying a sense of inevitability about the defeat.
Nagelsmann had experimented with his line-up, fielding senior figures such as Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry and Jonathan Tah, but the tactical shuffle failed to spark improvement.
Speaking to ARD after the match, Nagelsmann did not hold back in his criticism.
“Apart from two or three injured players, these are the best quality players we have in Germany,” he said. “Maybe next time we have to call up players with less quality but who will give everything on the pitch. I trust my players, but being simply a better player than the opponent is not enough if you don’t show willingness and desire.”
The former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss went further, comparing the performance to a past scare for Bayern in the domestic cup.
“Why do you think a team like Wiesbaden almost drew 2-2 with Bayern? It’s not because they had better quality, but because they showed emotionality and desire,” Nagelsmann pointed out.
The result continues a worrying trend for Germany, who had already lost to Portugal and France in the Nations League over the summer. With the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada now only nine months away, pressure is mounting on Nagelsmann to find solutions quickly.
Germany will look to recover when they host Northern Ireland in Köln on Sunday.