Germany are genuine challengers again, even if the later Jogi Löw years aren’t yet fully forgotten.
Peak Germany, this is not – a Nations League defeat to Hungary highlighted that – but it is a more competitive side than was on show at Euro 2020. Under 57-year-old Hansi Flick, the squad feels more balanced, and that famous ruthlessness has returned. Perhaps the best indication of their turnaround came after a muted 2-0 win against Liechtenstein in Flick’s first match in charge: Germany won the home game two months later 9-0 in Wolfsburg.
In personnel terms, Jonas Hofmann
