GERMANY legend Lothar Matthaus labelled the national team a “complete failure” following their 3-2 friendly defeat to Belgium.
Hansi Flick’s men played two non-competitive games during the international break as they do not need to qualify for Euro 2024 because they are hosting the tournament.
They kicked things off with a 2-0 win over Peru on Saturday.
But on Tuesday evening they were then beaten by Belgium in Cologne.
Germany, who were knocked out of the Qatar World Cup in the group stage, found themselves 2-0 down inside nine minutes as Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku both struck.
And, while Niclas Fullkrug pulled one back from the penalty spot, Matthaus slammed his country’s opening 45 minutes.
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Speaking at half-time, Germany’s 1990 World Cup-winning captain told RTL: “That was a two-class difference.
“Belgium could have led higher [by more]. The Germans didn’t have access to this fast, technically-skilled Belgian game.”
Taking aim at West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer, he then added: “I don’t see him as a central defender. He also has physical disadvantages against Lukaku.”
After the break, Kevin de Bruyne extended Belgium’s advantage, before Serge Gnabry pulled back a late consolation.
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And Matthaus was even more damning in his assessment after the game.
He said: “The first 35 minutes were the worst I’ve seen in my long, long career.
“They didn’t fight back in the duels. That was a complete failure.”
Germany have struggled for nearly a decade since winning their fourth World Cup in 2014.
After reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, they were knocked out in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup.
They then lost to England in the last 16 of Euro 2020, before another group-stage exit in Qatar.
But hosting the European Championships next year gives them an opportunity to win silverware in front of their home fans for the first time since they lifted their second World Cup in 1974.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
