Germany 3-0 Portugal, Bielefelder Alm, Bielefeld
(Oberdorf 40′, Bühl 55′, Rauch 80′)
7,364 followers, the most important Germany crowd because the begin of the pandemic, celebrated their aspect’s seventh World Cup qualifying win in as many matches.
Talismanic attacker Alex Popp’s return from a virtually year-long harm layoff solely sweetened the victory. Not a foul time out for Germany supporters, even when the frigid climate within the western metropolis of Bielefeld actually drenched the house group’s parade.
And whereas the house win all however ensures Germany will make it to the 2023 World Cup, Germany’s major concern is getting ready for this summer time’s European Championship in England. With that in thoughts, they nonetheless have some work forward of them.
“That was a stable efficiency and I am usually joyful,” mentioned Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg after the match. “Nevertheless it does not replicate how dominant we have been.”
Equally to their spirited efficiency in November, Portugal have proved Germany’s stiffest check in qualifying.
The hosts exploded out of the blocks in Bielefeld, unleashing a gradual stream of early possibilities. Large attackers Svenja Huth and Klara Bühl have been significantly harmful, deftly creating area and breaking by way of Portuguese traces to make sure keeper Ines Pereira stayed busy.
Nevertheless it did not take Portugal lengthy to shutter a few of their evident defensive gaps, slowing Germany’s momentum because the hosts struggled to transform dominant possession and a few glowing attacking play into harmful possibilities.
The hosts lastly battered themselves in entrance late within the first half due to a uncommon objective from Lena Oberdorf. The defensive midfielder headed house a deflected Svenja Huth nook. For all their technical aptitude, a scrappy set piece objective put Germany forward.
“We weren’t fairly exact sufficient,” mentioned second half substitute Laura Freigang after the match. “Portugal made it exhausting for us, actually displaying a whole lot of tenacity. Nonetheless, I believe that we had some stable moments.”
Svenja Huth launches one other Germany assault in opposition to Portugal
Popp’s variability and imaginative and prescient adjustments the sport
With an organized Portugal clogging central passing lanes, Germany have been largely diminished to lobbing in crosses from out extensive. Whereas many of those makes an attempt fizzled to nothing, Bühl thrashed house a low cross early within the second half, whereas Felicitas Rauch tapped house a ball from extensive to shut out the scoring.
The fixed crosses paid off ultimately, however Germany have been gradual to change up their ways or make changes to make the most of their technically-gifted midfielders and unlock Portugal by way of the center. It wasn’t till Alex Popp got here off the bench on the hour mark to notch her first Germany look since April 13, 2021, that the hosts modified their dynamic.
Popp, sitting deep in midfield, performed quite a few beautiful one-touch passes to spring her speedy attackers and created clearer possibilities. Even when Germany did not end any of them, Popp’s variability and imaginative and prescient opened up the sport, qualities they’re going to want on the Euros.
“I used to be truthfully a bit overwhelmed on the ultimate whistle,” she admitted. “I do not cry a lot, however even a pair tears rolled down my cheeks after the match. I used to be simply so glad to be again on the pitch.”
Heavy rotation Germany’s new actuality
Captain Popp’s comeback, together with the return of quite a few gamers who missed February’s Arnold Clark Cup, offered Martina Voss-Tecklenburg with the closest factor she’s seen to a full roster because the pandemic started.
Germany’s coach has taken a practical method to the problem. “We have loads of expertise [with plugging holes in rosters]. While you’re coping with a pandemic, and that is true for each group, it is merely the norm,” she mentioned earlier than the match.
“Now we have a deep roster, so complaining does not do us any good. We have simply bought to look ahead and assist our gamers,” mentioned Voss-Tecklenburg.
Germany’s coach has embraced heavy rotation, with 27 gamers turning out for Germany of their seven qualifiers. And whereas Germany have been at near full power in opposition to Portugal, they have been nonetheless lacking the recently-injured Sara Däbritz, Wolfsburg’s Lena Lattwein and dynamic Bayern teenager Sydney Lohmann.
As demonstrated by their good qualifying report, Voss-Tecklenburg has handled the roster challenges effectively. However, whereas a depleted Germany might be able to breeze by way of qualifying, it is unclear if they’re going to be able to making a dent on the Euros. Lacking Däbritz in opposition to Portugal or Serbia isn’t the identical as lacking her in opposition to Spain or Denmark.
Which once more displays a few of the larger query marks round this German aspect. For each dominant efficiency in qualifying, they’ve struggled in opposition to a high aspect in friendlies.
Although not fairly, the efficiency in opposition to Portugal was simply sufficient to take Germany a step nearer to the World Cup. Nevertheless it does not inform us a lot about the place they’ll find yourself when squaring off in opposition to Europe’s finest.
Edited by Matt Ford.