A Game Of Lows And Highs As Germany Draw Switzerland 3-3

It was another game of lows and highs for Bundestrainer Joachim Löw as Germany drew Switzerland 3-3 in the UEFA Nations League. It is a result that gives Germany both the hope to still win the group, but also laid open many of the tactical problems of the national team. The first 26 minutes, in fact, were a disaster, defensively the worst the team has played since the infamous 4-4 against Sweden in October 2013. 

Mario Gavranovic (5′) and Remo Freuler (26′) had given the Swiss an early lead after two disastrous moments in Germany backline. The very backline that had been reshuffled from a three-man defense to a four-man defense. Going back to 4-3-3 appeared to be almost like a compromise by Löw, who was under fire in Germany for his conservative approach.

Surely, Germany, a team that is favorites in 90% of all games, should not play with a five-man defence. Those criticisms have been correct, but the constant tinkering by Löw has not helped—neither has the long coronavirus break. “It’s good to improve at playing a back three and a back four,” Löw said to ARD after the game. “You have to be able to switch between system. This team has a lot of potential.”

The switching between systems, especially after a long break has done little to give this team stability, however. As a result, Germany found itself with an early deficit. It speaks for the team, however, that they came back. Timo Werner scored in the 29th minute to half the lead. Then in the 55th minute, Kai Havertz highlighted why he is Germany’s biggest talent of the generation, scoring a wonderful goal to make it 2-2. That lead, however, lasted just two minutes. In the 57th minute, Gavranovic scored his second to give the Swiss their second lead of the night. 

“We came back from several setbacks,” Havertz said to the media after the game. “We are still in a process here, a young team.” A young team that highlighted that it could bounce back. In the 60th minute, Serge Gnabry made it 3-3, scoring with his backheel for what was the goal of the evening. “We showed some good things,” Havertz said. We showed a good mentality and played well in the second half. We have to defend better, more like adults.”

“Things didn’t start well, but we controlled the game in the end and improved our football,” captain Manuel Neuer said. “You could see that we wanted to show more going forward,” Joshua Kimmich added. “I think the goals we conceded were a bit weird. Nevertheless, I still think it was a different display from us than against Ukraine. It wasn’t great, but it was a step in the right direction.”

That last sentence perhaps sums it up best. It was not until the last 30 minutes that Germany played the sort of football expected with the talent available on the pitch. Patchy and without guidance is perhaps the best way to describe the first 57 minutes.

What followed was a more dominant display. Whether that display was a result of Germany finding their rhythm or coaching changes remains to be seen. The result, however, will only somewhat take the pressure of Bundestrainer Löw. Although undefeated in their group, the number of draws and defensive debacles will continue to be a point of criticism for some time. This was after all, against Switzerland, at the Euros next summer Germany will face Portugal and France in the group stage. 

Speaking of the group stage. Remarkably, Germany still has it in their own power to win their UEFA Nations League group after Spain lost 1-0 to Ukraine in the parallel game. Just one point behind Spain, Germany needs to simply win their last two games against Ukraine and then Spain. “We need to do better when it comes to killing off games, though,” Havertz said, summing up what it will take for Germany to get the job done. 

Manuel Veth is the editor-in-chief of the Futbolgrad Network and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth