Players show disregard for the national team. - Players appear to disregard the importance of the national team.
German National Team Suffers Disappointing Loss to Slovakia, Raising Concerns About Commitment and Team Dynamics
The German National Team suffered a 0:2 defeat in their first qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup against Slovakia, a result that has sparked a wave of criticism and concern about the team's performance and commitment.
Despite the team's potential to beat any opponent, as shown in their impressive displays against bigger teams, the match against Slovakia was a collective failure. Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach, is not solely to blame for the disastrous performance, but he cannot escape criticism.
Nagelsmann is questioning the mental capacity of some players, particularly against supposedly smaller opponents. The long season, Club World Cup participation, and lack of rest before joining the national team might have led to mental strain, contributing to the team's underwhelming performance.
Many things have been criticized after the game, including the lineup, tactics, and substitutions, all under Nagelsmann's responsibility. However, it's important to note that the players, from Woltemade and Wirtz in attack to Rüdiger and Tah in defense, are being overlooked in the criticism.
To improve the team's performance, Nagelsmann is considering giving more opportunities to newcomers like goalkeeper Finn Dahmen (FC Augsburg), defender Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), and offensive player Paul Nebel (1. FSV Mainz 05). He is also reintegrating experienced players such as Antonio Rüdiger and Nadiem Amiri while executing a broad team renewal by moving on from some established stars.
The "Dortmund Syndrome," a phenomenon suggesting that players may not be fully committed to the national team, seems to be affecting the DFB team. This syndrome, which has been a concern in Dortmund, is characterised by euphoric football against big opponents and collective apathy against smaller teams.
The impression is that the national team is once again suffering from "Dortmund Syndrome," with the team, with the exception of goalkeeper Baumann, running around the pitch in a manner that suggests they don't care about the national team. This lack of commitment has led to the poor performance against Slovakia, which some consider a humiliation.
Nagelsmann is considering relying more on less individual quality in the team to improve performance, possibly giving opportunities to lesser-known players. The "M-word" mentality, referring to discussions about the willingness to play for Dortmund, is now affecting the DFB team, raising further concerns about the players' commitment to the team.
As the team moves forward, Nagelsmann will need to address these concerns and work to foster a sense of unity and commitment among the players. Only then can the German National Team hope to return to its former glory.
