Germany were embarrassed on home soil by Japan and Ilkay Gundogan confessed that the camp is lacking in confidence and defeats of that manner do not help their cause
Ilkay Gundogan admits “there’s no confidence” in the German camp after they were thumped by Japan – further ramping up the pressure on coach Hansi Flick.
Germany lost 4-1 to their opponents at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg on Saturday night – the second time they’d been beaten by Japan in less than 12 months following their loss to them at the World Cup. It continues a poor run of form that has raised serious alarm bells ahead of the Euros next summer, which will be held on German soil.
Leroy Sane had drawn the hosts level before they conceded three unanswered goals in what was their heaviest setback since a 6-0 loss in the Nations League against Spain in 2020. The country’s director of football Rudi Voller was particularly damning, labelling the defeat a “disgrace”, and Gundogan offered little optimism.
The former Manchester City star told Bein Sports: “Very tough one to take. I think the only good situation was the goal, where we played the rhythm we wanted, but unfortunately, we have to admit Japan were defensively and offensively better than us.