Euro 2024 host Germany slumped to a shock 4-1 home loss to Japan in their international friendly on Saturday, deepening the sense of crisis hanging over it after its third straight loss less than nine months before the continental tournament.
The four-time world champion, which crashed out of last year’s World Cup group stage after also losing to Japan, has won just four of its last 17 international matches, putting coach Hansi Flick’s future in doubt.
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It next faces World Cup finalist France on Tuesday.
“We have to be honest and say that Japan were better. They let the ball run, they played the right spaces, carved out their goals. They were better,” Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan said.
“We made far too many individual mistakes. We have to admit that we are just not on the same level with teams like the one today. It is hard but the trend speaks for itself.”
“We have to accept that we are just not good enough at the moment. That’s the reality. Maybe we even think we are better than we are.”
The Germans, despite a strong start, were without a clear plan, lacking in confidence and energy while also littering the pitch with errors and allowing their opponents to ride roughshod over them as the home fans booed and whistled.
Japan scored with its first real chance as Junya Ito silenced the home crowd in the 11th minute by turning in a low cross at the far post.
The host bounced back, levelling in the 19th following a superb passing move and a left-footed finish from Leroy Sane.
Takuma Asano of Japan celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s third goal. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
But their joy was short-lived as the visitors struck again just three minutes later with forward Ayase Ueda wrong-footing keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after another move down the right wing.
Ter Stegen denied Japan another goal when Ueda pounced on a defensive error a little later to charge through only to see his shot saved.
Japan had two quick chances in succession two minutes after the restart but Ter Stegen kept Germany in the game, as he did in the 70th, first palming Takuma Asano’s shot from close range wide and then stopping Kaoru Mitoma’s rebound effort.
Asano made amends in the 90th, slotting in to seal its second straight win over Germany before it added another in stoppage time with Ao Tanaka’s header.
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