As had been the case in 2012, Germany would kick off their footballing year against France – the second in two pre-arranged friendly encounters between the two sides. In Bremen the French had gone away with a 2-1 win against
Netherlands v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
This was billed as a prestige friendly to end the calendar year, and seen by some as the third chapter in a three-part series that had started with the Mannschaft’s 3-0 win in Hamburg a year previously. Given the almost
The Netherlands: Squad News
So, it’s the final piece of what has been a dramatic and ultimately disappointing year for the Nationalmannschaft – and the third act of a three-part show against the Netherlands that started just around this time last year in Hamburg.
Republic of Ireland v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
After the semi-final failure at Euro 2012, a disappointing friendly home defeat to Argentina and two fairly insipid and uninspired performances in September in their opening two World Cup qualifying matches, Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw found himself under pressure for what
Demolition in Dublin: Six of the Best
It’s a cool but dry evening in Dublin, and the home side take to the field in their traditional green and white ensemble with Germany in their familiar Schwarz und Weiß.
Republic of Ireland v Germany: Will German eyes be smiling?
After two wins in their opening two fixtures against the Faroe Islands and Austria, Joachin Löw’s side face a far tougher double-header – with the first match in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland followed by a home meeting with
Ireland and Sweden: Squad News
The last month has just flown by, and the next World Cup qualifying round is upon us. Last month the Nationalmannschaft picked up maximum points against the Faroe Islands and Austria, but this week’s double-header promises to be far more
Austria v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
After the expected but not wholly convincing victory over the Faroe Islands in their opening World Cup qualifying fixture in Hannover, the pressure would be on Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw and his side to deliver a more convincing performance against neighbours
Groundhog Day in Vienna
There are no surprises from German Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw this time, as the team is pretty much as we all expected. The fit-again Marcel Schmelzer is in at left back with Holger Badstuber moving back inside and Per Mertesacker on
Germany v Argentina: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
A new start to a new season, and the Nationalmannschaft’s fourth defeat of 2012 – the most reverses in a calendar year since Joachim Löw wook over as Nationaltrainer in 2006. But it was not all bad news. Despite the
Frustration in Frankfurt
Generally speaking nobody cares too much about the August early season friendly, but this was Argentina – and Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena would be packed to the rafters to see Joachim Löw’s side take on the Albiceleste in what was their first
Germany v Argentina: Who to start?
After the endless discussions about the starting lineup at Euro 2012, we kick things off again with this season’s opening friendly international against Argentina: a friendly with that touch of importance, a game against a “big” country rather than a