After losing 2-1 to Japan, Germany needs a win against Spain. There are many indications of tension in the team. In addition, the DFB not only annoys German journalists.

Kai Havertz wants to use the frustration productively – will the Spaniards play along?
A final on the second day of the group match – this constellation is not that unusual at a World Cup, but the fact that the German team finds itself in such a situation for the second time in a row can be regarded as a big surprise. Four years ago in Russia, Germany lost to Mexico at the start. This time it was Japan that paralyzed the DFB kickers. At that time, the team was eliminated in the preliminary round. In a defeat against Spain (Sunday, 8 p.m.), fate threatens him again.
In the German entourage nothing is the same as before. The confidence to belong to the group of favorites as a matter of course has suddenly given way. Kai Havertz, Chelsea forward, explained that he felt enormous “anger” in the two days after the game against Japan. According to the attacker, this should now be used productively to put Spain in its place: “We have to get away from always talking about the fact that we’re in a shitty situation.”
Is the crisis management successful?
Successful crisis management in an urgent procedure – no less is necessary to make the appearance against Spain successful and not to be at the mercy of others. The task could hardly be more difficult. Spain started the tournament with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica, impressively underlining their claim to be among the title contenders.
Germany haven’t won against Spain in ages. The team last suffered a 6-0 loss in the Nations League in Seville in November 2020. At that time, this was still under the direction of coach Joachim Löw, who made his position available after the European Championships last year.
His successor and former assistant Hansi Flick has already disenchanted himself in the short time he has been on the job. Flick, who was praised as the ideal person for the post because he had successfully coached FC Bayern, initiated the defeat in the first group game with his changes when the score was 1-0: he had ousted the dominating strategist Ilkay Gündogan, as had Thomas Müller, who was one of the better German players.

Has already disenchanted himself in his short time as Germany’s national coach: Hansi Flick.
The team then lost the rhythm. At the media conference before the match against Spain, which Flick played alone – and, unlike the Fifa regulations, with a player at his side – he said: “We will see a team that knows what is at stake and that will do everything to leave the door open for the round of 16 on the last day of the game.”
Flick’s solo appearance triggered great resentment not only among German media people. The journalists had assumed that, as usual, they would also be able to question a player. Flick explained that the long journey from the quarters – it is 75 kilometers – could not be expected of any player. Apparently, the DFB had assumed that Fifa would specifically move the press conference to the German media center in northern Qatar. Flick said: “We’re disappointed, we have a really good press center up there, it would certainly have been possible.”
The DFB reacts stubbornly
You have to let such a statement work for a while in order to be able to savor its dimension. The Germans are “disappointed” because Fifa doesn’t give them any extra sausage and instead insists on following a tried and tested procedure. And the DFB? Reacts stubbornly and sometimes refuses to participate, which the other 31 nations naturally guarantee. Anyone looking for evidence of a very special mentality in the German camp does not have to look far to find it.
Now it’s all about the options that remain for the solo entertainer Flick. The coach explained that he wanted to “sleep again” about the star formation. It is therefore uncertain whether Kai Havertz will play from the start again. Because he was one of those figures in the opening match who were not only criticized by the media. Game designer Ilkay Gündogan was more or less blunt in his criticism of his Premier League colleague. The Manchester City pro said: “You got the feeling that not everyone really wanted the ball. We lost the ball far too often and far too easily.”
After the game, Havertz was irritated by Gündogan’s words, he referred to the large number of chances to score. However, the episode also illustrates that the team of the four-time world champion does not have that much harmony that outsiders like to claim. It could inhibit the team against Spain. But it cannot be ruled out that this will create the friction Havertz longs for, which could release undreamt-of reserves. If it doesn’t succeed, it should be difficult for this blasé team to win back the lost credit.