Germany hosted Ghana in the final match of this international break and put it a fairly dominant showing in a 2-1 victory.<\/p>\n
While, this was not the most inspiring set of games for the Germans, Julian Nagelsmann might have learned a little bit about where this squad stands before the World Cup. Let\u2019s dive in \u2014 here are some quick hitters on the match:<\/p>\n
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As always, let\u2019s begin with a look at the starting XI:<\/p>\n
The biggest surprises were that Leon Goretzka and Leroy San\u00e9 were sent to the bench.<\/p>\n
In the 5th minute, Ghana might have escaped a red card when Kai Havertz was taken down by Jonas Adjei Adjetey. Adjetey looked like he was the last defender and it was a reckless challenge. You could really argue that it was a red card.<\/p>\n
Wirtz\u2019s free kick would hit the post.<\/p>\n
In the 31st minute, a set piece from Kimmich landed right on the head of Nico Schlotterbeck, who was swarmed, but it fell over to Jonathan Tah, who shot the ball just above Ghana\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n
A minute later, it looked like Kimmich, Woltemade, and Wirtz combined for what looked like a great play for a goal, but a kneecap being offside nullified the play.<\/p>\n
Germany was fairly dominant throughout the first half and were wearing down Ghana with consistent pressure. It felt like one of two things would happen \u2014 Germany would eventually break through after sustained pressure and open the floodgates\u2026or Ghana was going to get a counterattack goal.<\/p>\n
In added time for the first half, Ghana was whistled for a handball after a defender extended his arm out to block a shot in the box. Havertz stepped to the spot and buried the PK to make it 1-0 and relieve a little tension.<\/p>\n
Ghana did not have much to offer against Germany, so it was really a matter of how strong or sloppy Nagelsmann\u2019s squad would be in the final 45 minutes.<\/p>\n
Pascal Gro\u00df should have made it 2-0 in the 51st minute, but unleashed a totally tame shot.<\/p>\n
In the 53rd minute, Woltemade smashed a header into the crossbar. Germany was all over Ghana. It was a perfect cross delivery from Lennart Karl, who entered the game after halftime.<\/p>\n
Karl had some juice and brought real energy to the pitch.<\/p>\n
About that sloppiness we referenced earlier \u2014 it would rear its ugly head in the 70th minute when Ghana picked apart Germany with a through ball that left Nagelsmann\u2019s squad scrambling. Ultimately, Derrick K\u00f6hn would find Abdul Fatawu Issahaku to knot the game at 1-1. Issahaku only entered the game four minutes earlier. It should be noted that Goretzka did not exactly bust it back to make a goal-saving play on Issahaku.<\/p>\n
Goretzka was very lethargic.<\/p>\n
After a sustained period of dominance, Germany was on its heels once again.<\/p>\n
In the second half, Woltemade got in the way twice \u2014 once blocking a Goretzka shot and another time intercepting a pass intended for a teammate.<\/p>\n
Kimmich sent a ball to the moon in the 81st minute.<\/p>\n
Karl probably should have given Germany the lead in the 86th minute, but sent his attempt wide of the mark.<\/p>\n
In the 88th minute, VfB Stuttgart stalwart Deniz Undav proved why he deserves a sport on the squad with a fantastic juggling finish in traffic. What a player from one of the hottest scorers in Europe! Leroy San\u00e9, who was far more active and engaged against Ghana than he was vs. Switzerland, created the goal and had the assist.<\/p>\n
Nagelsmann needs to take Undav now because he just saved the coach\u2019s hide.<\/p>\n
Goretzka had a bad turnover in added time that could have been disastrous.<\/p>\n
Overall, it is hard to make too much of a friendly\u2026however, in the same way we could \u2014 at least \u2014 take the fight and resilience from the win over Switzerland, we can say this game was marred by missed chances, inefficiency, and a period of sloppiness. However, Germany did claw out a win based on Undav\u2019s goal (even if Nagelsmann does not want to give him credit<\/a>) and now can really start to hone on in its World Cup plans. Are the Germans going to be ready when it counts?<\/p>\n If you missed our Initial Analysis<\/a>, Match Awards<\/a>, Observations<\/a>, or Postgame Podcast<\/a>, give them a look or a listen:<\/p>\n Tottenham Hotspur is hoping to get Roberto De Zerbi to take over:<\/p>\n Tottenham are hoping to convince Roberto De Zerbi to become their permanent head coach, sources have told ESPN, following the sacking of interim boss Igor Tudor. Spurs\u2019 ideal option is De Zerbi, who left Marseille in February. The situation is complicated by Spurs\u2019 relegation fight which sees them just one point clear of the relegation zone with just seven games remaining, although Sky Italia report that De Zerbi could be open to joining now despite preferring to wait until the end of the season. Ex-Spurs managers Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood and Glenn Hoddle have all been linked with the role as have Sean Dyche and former striker Robbie Keane.<\/p>\n With Bayern Munich\u2019s Monday announcement that it would not be bringing back Rapha\u00ebl Guerreiro next season, it was almost immediately reported that Juventus would like to bring him in:<\/p>\n Juventus had already been linked with Raphael Guerreiro for January, and it\u2019s now confirmed he will be a free agent when his Bayern Munich contract expires on June 30.<\/p>\n Although primarily a full-back, he can also play in central midfield.<\/p>\n Juventus had already been linked with a possible swoop for the 32-year-old in January, where he would effectively replace Filip Kostic, another player who will be a free agent in July.<\/p>\n It has been reported for weeks that FC Barcelona wants Inter Milan center-back Alessandro Bastoni, but now, it appears that Bastoni might favor a move to Catalonia as well:<\/p>\n Internazionale center back Alessandro Bastoni wants to join Barcelona in the summer, as reported by Marca. Although no formal negotiations have taken place yet, the Blaugrana have sounded out the 26-year-old and Inter are open to negotiations. However, Barcelona could struggle to meet Inter\u2019s transfer valuation of around \u20ac70 million so they have other names on their shortlist, including Tottenham Hotspur pair Micky van de Ven and Luka Vuskovic, who is loan at Hamburg.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Former Mainz 05 and Union Berlin boss Bo Svensson is headed to be the new manager at FC Copenhagen:<\/p>\n Man\u2026it just feels like Rodri to Real Madrid is going to happen, doesn\u2019t it? Here is the latest:<\/p>\n Real Madrid are stepping up their efforts to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to TEAMtalk, which adds that the Spain international is in favor of leaving the Etihad. Madrid feel that he can help solve the lack of experience and composure they have had in their midfield since the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Meanwhile, Man City are keen to extend Rodri\u2019s contract past its current expiration of 2027, but they are aware that the 29-year-old wants to return to Spain and won\u2019t stand in his way.<\/p>\n Recently, Rodri spoke about Real Madrid and caught some flack for it (as captured by Sports Illustrated<\/a>):<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t turn down one of the world\u2019s best clubs,\u201d he said. \u201cReal Madrid is always Real Madrid. The door is not closed.\u201d<\/p>\n Predictably, Rodri\u2019s comments have attracted plenty of media attention, with many City fans unimpressed to see such a crucial player openly flirting with the team that just eliminated them from the Champions League.<\/p>\n Rodri, however, was not interested as he argued the quotes had been blown out of proportion.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m used to it,\u201d he laughed in the mixed zone after Spain\u2019s 3\u20130 win over Serbia. \u201cIf, out of a 50-minute interview, they cut out whatever they want \u2026 in the end, I don\u2019t have much more to say.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a person who speaks directly. The interview is there if you want to listen to it in its entirety \u2026 and not just certain snippets.\u201d<\/p>\n If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, Apple<\/a>, or any leading podcast distributor\u2026 <\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Join the conversation!<\/p>\n