The Nations League loss to France revealed the strengths and weaknesses of Julian Nagelsmann's developing German team. Despite a strong start, with missed opportunities leading to a 2-1 defeat, the match underscored long-standing issues with lack of clinical finishing. Captain Joshua Kimmich noted the team's early dominance but subsequent loss of structure, while Nagelsmann acknowledged the team's potential to create opportunities, even while missing key players. Key performances such as that of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen provided some positives amidst overall disappointment, as the team seeks to reclaim its status in international football.
"We should have been 3-0 up after six minutes. Then we somehow lost the structure. Then, of course, it's a perfect game for the French with their many counterattacks," said captain Joshua Kimmich to German broadcaster RTL.
"We must score against such top teams. But the approach was good," said Nagelsmann. We showed that we can create against top teams despite missing several players.
At the other end of the pitch, one of the few Germany players to emerge from Sunday's defeat with some credit was goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who repelled several of France's counterattacks with some excellent saves.
Julian Nagelsmann felt his side played well in the first half but were not clinical.
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