Following an extremely underwhelming game against Luxembourg that was salvaged by a fantastic Nick Woltemade performance, Germany faced Slovakia with stakes as high as ever. This would be a bad time to lose, for losing would not only mean having to go into playoffs, but also jeopardise Julian Nagelsmann’s seat.

That being said, in a do-or-die, Germany rose valiantly, out of seemingly nowhere and at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, delivered one of their best performances in recent times. The result was a 6-0 statement victory. Here are six observations from the game.

A closer look at the game shows that it was a dominating, not a phenomenal performance. The team simply lacks the manpower or the tactics (sorry Nagelsmann) to make the most out of their talents.

That being said,here is what worked.Slovakia played a low-block, organised and extremely compact. Germany found themselves bypassing Slovakia only via long balls, which frequently enough went unutilized as one coudl simply not figure out what to do when swarmed by a sea of blue shirts. It was clear, Germany was trying.There was, of course, that gorgeous sliding tackle from Joshua Kimmich that perhaps is being framed and hung in someone’s living room as we speak. However, the game was not moving anywhere. There was hardly any breathing room for the likes of Sane and Gnabry, who’d frequently enough be at the receiving end of these long balls but could not figure a way out.

To say that Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade won this game for Germany would be an understatement. The first goal from a Wirtz corner at the 18th minute. The corner was received and in a few seconds, Joshua Kimmich made a sharp cross to Woltemade who headed the ball into the net. The way the duo amalgamated their timing and skill so effortlessly genuinely needs to be studied.

Shortly afterward, aleksandar Pavlovic (who did incredibly well in this game), made a pass to Leon Goretzka, who then assisted Serge Gnabry in the second go

Germany’s Emerging Talent: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst a Youth Drought

Germany has no shortage of youth, it only seems to have a shortage of youth good enough for the senior team.

With the resurgence of promising players, however, such concerns look less pressing. The attack is almost entirely set, accounting for Jamal Musiala’s return and the potential contributions of talented players like Said El Mala or Bayern’s Lennart Karl, who recently delivered a stunning performance for the U21 team.

The midfield also presents no concerns, bolstered by the rise of Pavlovic and his fantastic performances. The addition of Tom Bischof would create an unbeatable pairing. In this context, we must also discuss Leipzig’s Assan Ouédraogo.

The Schalke youth talent, now a Leipzig midfielder, made his U20 debut earlier this year. He has quickly risen through the ranks and recently debuted with the senior team, scoring a goal just two minutes into the game. His clever, pacey passing and accurate finishing make him a midfielder to watch.

The defense, anchored by Nico Schlotterbeck, has some concerns, but is currently adequate.

The Florian wirtz Argument

Florian Wirtz’s career trajectory warrants close examination. It’s arduous to understand how a player with his potential and skill could become a disappointment. His move to the Premier League arguably did significant damage, as he struggled in an unfamiliar position.