Next embarrassment: Germany loses in Austria, Sané sees red

The last international test of the year is also causing a hangover in German football: after losing to Turkey, Germany also lost to Austria. Error-prone, unimaginative, uninspired, especially in the first half – Germany lost to hosts Austria 0-2 (0-1) in Vienna on Tuesday evening (November 21st, 2023).

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′).

Given the disillusioning performance of the DFB selection over long periods of time, concerns are growing ahead of the European Championship finals in Germany about another embarrassing defeat at a major tournament – which is also taking place at home. “Overall it was too little”said captain Ilkay Gündogan to the sports show, “We didn’t play well, had too few chances to score and therefore deserved to lose”.

National coach Nagelsmann: “A lot of work in all positions”

When asked about the reasons for the defeat, Gündogan said on ZDF: “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.” Austria’s attacker Michael Gregoritsch praised his team “a lot of aggressiveness, a lot of intensity, a lot of ball security” and was happy about the well-deserved victory.

“I’m not a fan of falling into the victim role”said Nagelsmann to the sports show, “We have to accept that the situation is what it is and that we can get out of the situation by working”.

Strange start to the game in Austria

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 the back four.

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. That was also the plan, said Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner: “We wanted to give them the feeling from the first minute that it would be very difficult. We wanted to bring out the uncertainty that is in the boys’ heads.”

First, 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.

Germany losing the ball too quickly

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.

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.

Red for Sané: “I let the team down”

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 that.

After a foul on Phillipp Mwene, the Austrian pushed Sané, who then hit Mwene’s neck with both hands in an exaggerated manner and clearly frustrated. Sané was shown red for assault and Mwene was shown a yellow card.

It was Sané’s first suspension in his professional career. “The game is on me, I take it entirely on myself. I have to control myself better. I let the team down,” said Sané at the Sportschau microphone.

After assault: Sané faces a longer ban

The Bayern player is most likely threatened with a ban for “at least” three international matches and thus the end of large parts of the European Championship preparations. The regulations of the responsible world football association FIFA stipulate a minimum ban of three games or for “an appropriate period of time” for “assault, including elbowing, boxing, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting” against everyone involved except the referees. Depending on the disciplinary committee’s assessment, the 27-year-old could be absent for longer.

It was a red card for Sané decisive

“After the red card it was clear that it would be very difficult. Although we didn’t do that badly,” said DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan. Overall, it wasn’t enough; a deserved defeat was looming in the phase.

Nagelsmann and assistant coach Sandro Wagner then had to completely renovate the team: Florian 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.

Austria fans: “Oh, how beautiful that is!”

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.

“Disgrace of Vienna” spoiled Annual financial statements

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.