Germany's Tops & Flops From the Groupstage

As expected, the German national team are a work in progress. But where are things at on an individual level? Let’s look at the 4 tops & flops from the European Championship thus far!

With 7 points, Germany topped Group A and progressed to the round of 16. The 3 matches brought moments of scintillating attacking football, emotional explosions, and individual brilliance. Yet, these same performances were also riddled with various technical inconsistencies and uncoordinated defensive movements. As expected, the German national team are a work in progress, with highs & lows.

But where are things at on an individual level? Let’s look at the 4 biggest winners & 4 biggest losers from the EURO 2024 groupstage.

Top: Jamal Musiala

Jamal Musiala has arguably been the best player in the competition so far. The 21-year-old is blessed with an unbelievable technique and movement fluidity, but it was not an absolute given that he would light up the European skies this summer. Musiala had scored just 1 goal in his previous 20 international matches heading into the competition, and in general, he seemed drained from a long and difficult trophyless season at FC Bayern.

Still, the Stuttgart-born forward has shown in just 3 matches why he could be one of the most exhilarating stars of the next decade. He has drifted past opponents with his languid dribbling, found ingenuous spaces to move Germany’s play forward, and added a killer instinct in front of goal with 2 goals in the first 2 matches.

Particularly the last aspect concerning chance conversion was leveled at Musiala following the 2022 World Cup exit. For all his exceptional qualities, Musiala was a bitter symbol of Germany’s early exit, with the young talent taking 12 shots without scoring.

While Musiala continues to have his faults in front of the goal, the confidence Germany’s #10 can take from a strong groupstage could make the difference if a big opportunity presents itself in the latter stages.

Flop: Leroy Sané

Whereas Bayern teammate Jamal Musiala has dazzled the German crowds, Leroy Sané seems to be struggling to adapt to his role as a super-sub off the bench. He has never been particularly impactful when coming into games - Sané has scored just 1 goal & 1 assist across 19 substitute appearances for Germany - and at this summer’s competition, he is finding it difficult to even pick up the rhythm of matches after being introduced. The Bayern winger has completed only 6 of an attempted 13 dribbles, and against Hungary and Scotland, he left some pretty significant chances on the table with poor finishing technique.

It is hard to imagine Nagelsmann going against Sané given how important he was throughout his Bayern tenure, but the German forward needs to improve if he wants to offer true competition for a place in the starting eleven.

Winner: Manuel Neuer

Arguably no player and no position was more hotly debated ahead of the tournament than Manuel Neuer and goalkeeper. The Bayern shot-stopper has an undeniable status and aura in German football, but at 38, many felt like it was time for Germany to pass the guard over to Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Ter Stegen played in 10 of Germany’s 18 fixtures since World Cup elimination and has routinely shown at FC Barcelona why he is amongst the best goalkeepers in world football.

Furthermore, Neuer entered the competition with a string of mistakes to his name. In the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid Neuer parried a relatively harmless Vinicius Jr. strike into the path of Joselu, while in the two pre-tournament friendlies against Greece and Ukraine, he also made two sizeable errors.

Still, Nagelsmann has held on to his number one, and the decision seems justified after the groupstage with Neuer quieting the debate with strong performances. In possession, Neuer has completed almost 90% of his passes, and against the ball, he has also come up big in key moments. With just 5 saves the German shot-stopper has not been a busy goalkeeper, but when called upon in key moments he has been there. A fantastic double parry against Hungary and a flying block against a Granit Xhaka thunderbolt in the match versus Switzerland have ultimately made the difference for Germany’s groupstage triumph.

Loser: Chris Führich

By many people’s accounts, Chris Führich had the potential to be Germany’s major x-factor at this summer’s competition. The 26-year-old could add a new and more direct dimension to Nagelsmann’s wing play. In fact, only Leroy Sane completed more attacking 1v1 duels in the previous Bundesliga campaign, and as far as progressive carries go, nobody could top the Stuttgart winger.

That Führich would need to contend with a starting spot on the bench seemed realistic, but that he has played only 18 minutes in the competition so far is a bit more disappointing. The alternative wide forwards Leroy Sané and Maximilian Beier both appear to be favored ahead of Führich, with the Stuttgart winger only coming onto the pitch after Germany were already 2:0 ahead against Hungary.

Perhaps a poor end to the domestic season is providing Nagelsman with doubts. Chris Führich’s red-hot form ultimately petered out as the campaign drew on. In the end, Führich managed just 1 goal & 0 assists in his final 9 league starts for VfB Stuttgart.

Winner: Niclas Füllkrug

Though Niclas Füllkrug has played less than 80 minutes at this year’s competition, the 31-year-old is amongst the most impactful players in the 26-man squad. ‘Fülle’ has already scored twice, the first being a thunderous strike that almost burst the net of Scotland's goalkeeper Angus Gunn, and the second via a crucial equalizing header that secured Germany a point against Switzerland.

His qualities as a super-sub can not be overlooked - Füllkrug is the record substitute goalscorer for Germany across all international tournament fixtures (4 goals) - but there is a real argument that he should start from the beginning against Germany’s round of 16 opponents. Germany have completed a considerable 17 crosses per game during the groupstage, and Füllkrug is clearly the striker you want on the end of any wide delivery.

Loser: Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz opened Germany’s account at Euro 2024 with a well-taken strike after just 10 minutes against Scotland. Wirtz’s finish sent the Allianz Arena into raptures (a forecast of the future?), but since that iconic moment, his tournament has slightly stalled. Wirtz was the first player to be taken off after a quiet performance against Hungary, and against Switzerland, he was also taken off early after failing to register a single shot on, or off-target.

We have lofty expectations of Wirtz given his exceptional talent and spectacular season, but it does feel like the 21-year-old is playing on recycled fumes after a draining campaign. The youngster played 62 matches and 4296 minutes for club & country this season. Amongst all U21 players in world football, only João Nevez of S.L. Benfica contested more matches for club & country this season.

Remembering that Florian Wirtz also only returned from an ACL tear less than 18 months ago, there is a clear picture of why it seems only reasonable that he hasn’t managed to be at his consistent best during these championships.

Winner: İlkay Gündoğan

Like Manuel Neuer, İlkay Gündoğan entered the European Championship with a lot of scrutiny around his position. The Barcelona midfielder is Germany’s captain, but his spot in the starting eleven was not built on solid foundations. The former Manchester City midfielder had struggled to perform since Julian Nagelsmann’s appointment, and across the two underwhelming pre-tournament friendlies, he stood under heavy criticism. In the 0:0 draw with Ukraine Gündoğan was hooked off at halftime, while some of Germany’s best football in the narrow 2:1 victory over Greece was also played after the captain was subbed off.

With just 1 goal & 0 assists in his last 13 national team appearances, many questioned how Gündoğan would be able to function in the attacking role Nagelsmann outlined for him, but with the groupstage gone, it is evident that Gündoğan has the quality to breathe life into Germany’s attack.

Gündoğan won the penalty for Germany’s 3rd goal against Scotland, and both scored and assisted in the 2:0 triumph over Hungary. His ability to float between the lines and provide a binding element between the midfield and attack is proving extremely impactful.

Loser: Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has started every match for Germany at the tournament, but his performances alone have made it difficult to quantify his position ahead of Niclas Füllkrug. Havertz has struggled to hold up possession when operating as a physical outlet, and from 9 shots he has managed just one goal from the penalty spot.

His work rate against the ball and fluid positioning make him very important for Julian Nagelsmann’s tactical construct, but the pressure Niclas Füllkrug is providing from the bench makes it hard to justify Kai’s unchallenged position in the starting lineup.