Germany return to domestic soil to salvage a 2-2 draw against France in the dying moments, ending 2017 completely unbeaten.
2017 has been a great year all-around for Germany. The reigning world champions continued their perfect streak in World Cup qualifying, and won the Confederations Cup in Russia with a promising roster of youngsters. As a result, Joachim Low can go into the 2018 World Cup in Russia confidently.
As already mentioned, breaking for international duties for the sake of friendlies — soon after rounding up qualifying matches — could seem frustrating and risky to many. With Bayern Munich and their notorious injury problems, this could scare fans more. However, the friendlies ahead of Russia could help warm-up the young squad for the trying times ahead.
Despite the context, Germany and France is always a fixture to turn heads. France, along Germany and others, also pose a threat to everyone up against them in Russia. After a draw with England away, the Germans scraped out of this one with a 2-2 draw.
Germany dominate in possession, but France more efficient in attack
As expected, this match served more as experience for the newer faces. As such, the only Bayern Munich representatives starting on the pitch for Germany were Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule. Meanwhile, Corentin Tolisso earned a start for France. The game itself saw the home side hold the lions share of the ball, but France made good work of the chances they made.
France clearly made the German defense stretch and forced Kevin Trapp to work quite a bit. As it turned out, it was the visitors who drew first blood. Around 33 minutes in, the French saw the fruits of their labor after so many dangerous situations in the German penalty area.
The play started with an excellent long-ball from Blaise Matuidi over to Lucas Digne. The left-back followed with a great one-touch pass finding Anthony Martial in the box. The Manchester United forward then gave a marvelous piece of skill to completely skin Sule alive. In the process, he slid the ball past Trapp to the oncoming Alexander Lacazette for a simple tap-in to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
France made excellent work with what they were given, especially for only having about 40% possession. They hit their hosts where it counted: counter-attacks.
Germany muster some momentum in the second-half
The second-half refreshingly saw Germany build some creativity going forward. The first major chance came at around the 53′ mark. A nice deceitful bit of skill and quick feet from Julian Draxler allowed space a clean low-cross into the box. Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger — of all people — was there to meet the ball, only for the center-back to smack the ball wide on his first touch.
Had almost anyone else been on the receiving end of that cross, it would have surely been Germany’s breakthrough. Thankfully for the champions, they were rewarded just a couple minutes later. Ilk Gundogan made a great tackle to give way for a Mesut Ozil spearheaded counter-attack. The playmaker then made great work of providing Timo Werner with a clinical through-ball, splitting Raphael Varane and Christophe Jallet.
The RB Leipzig and Germany wonder-kid was then clean on goal, and slid the ball under Steve Mandanda’s legs to level the match 1-1. This goal will prove a great confidence booster for Werner. The youngster has to get as much experience against top sides before flying to Russia for the real deal.
Later, however, more slip-ups ensued. The biggest of which, was a French attack shortly after Toni Kroos’ crossbar-striking free-kick. Kylian Mbappe found himself in possession in Germany’s half, and Rudiger’s horrid mistake of diving in after him, leaving Lacazette wide open proved costly. Mbappe promptly provided a clean pass for Lacazette to go 1-on-1 with Trapp, passing the ball under his legs to regain the lead.
Lars Stindl salvages draw at the death
The match wouldn’t go without one more surprise. Substitute’s Lars Stindl and Mario Gotze proved the big deciders. After another well-placed and influential pass from Ozil, Gotze immediately met it with a deft one-touch to Lars Stindl. The Monchengladbach man made no mistake, striking home a near-post shot to make it 2-2 with the last effort of the game.
Next: Mats Hummels on Jupp Heynckes replacement
Ultimately, this was a good warm-up for both sides. Germany and France displayed some promising signs ahead of the World Cup in Russia. Now the Germans finish 2017 without a defeat, and no more injured Bayern players.