Germany was defeated by Austria to suffer a second consecutive loss as Julian Nagelsmann’s era continued to get off to a difficult beginning.
Mixed Results:
The former Bayern Munich manager, now at the helm for Germany, began with a win against the USA but faced a draw with Mexico and a defeat by Turkey in subsequent matches.
Ralf Rangnick, aged 36, took over from Hansi Flick in September, signing a contract until July 2024, strategically placed just after Germany hosts Euro 2024.
Austrian Setback:
Marcel Sabitzer’s goal initially put Ralf Rangnick’s Austria in the lead, and Christoph Baumgartner’s contribution sealed the victory for the opposition.
Challenges and Setbacks:
Germany faced additional setbacks, reduced to 10 men after Leroy Sane, the former Manchester City winger, was shown a red card for an altercation with Phillipp Mwene, following objections to a tackle.
Nagelsmann’s Assessment:
Expressing concern over the team’s performance, Julian Nagelsmann, the German coach, highlighted significant work required across all positions.
He emphasized the need for the team to play more freely and cautioned against adopting a victim mentality despite the challenges faced.
Nagelsmann’s comments reveal a recognition of the demanding road ahead for the German squad under his leadership.