German newspapers lament lack of quality that cost national team two points

The analysis was all about team’s shortcomings while offering a nod to Ireland’s pluckiness

German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times
German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times

Here is a flavour of the German newspapers' reaction to last night's 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Gelsenkirchen.

Nonsense. This is only the World Cup Hangover (Der Bild)

“Clearly, something more creative would have done well against Ireland. What disturbs rather, are the many lapses of concentration, bad passes and arrogance. A world champion should never act negligently or arrogant.”

Shrunken fragment of a world champion (Frankfurter Allgemeine)

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“A depleted team, unimaginative long balls and sloppiness at the last minute: The German team’s lacklustre run continues.

“Emotion separated the two teams after the final whistle sounded. Although it was a draw, one party felt as like a winner and the other like a loser. The elated Republic of Ireland players left the pitch as their fans cheered loudly; the Germans crept away in shock. The world champions had failed to secure a certain victory.

"This is annoying, because in principle the three points were already in the bag," said team captain Manuel Neuer.

For inexplicable reasons, the team shrank to a fragment of the world champions, hitting balls forward against hitherto harmless opponents. Löw called the display “naive”. And the players were surprised at their own failure.

Dramatic 1- 1 win (Süddeutsche Zeitung)

“No technical sophistication, precise passes or quickly executed counterattacks (from Germany), Ireland were able to secure a point against the world champions.

That teams in Gelsenkirchen were not evenly matched, but the visitors secure the point with impatient and stubborn fighters. It was anything but an ordinary football game.

Another setback for the world champions (Berliner Morgenpost)

The world champions are in trouble. Three months after the great triumph in Rio, Joachim Loew’s young team could not win against Ireland in front of 51,204 disappointed fans at Schalke.

Like the previous 2-0 loss to Poland, Germany could not convert clear superiority into success against a team ranked 62 in the world.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer