Germany has secured its spot in the round of 32, but after a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, it looks more like a team that will be under severe pressure if it isn't dialled in, and could bid farewell to any dreams it had of a World Cup final.
Giving up possession, failing to string simple passes, and Manuel Neuer was not confident in goal. If those flaws came up in a knockout game against a team that can match them up, then there is bound to be trouble for Germany.
Beatable Germany
An elite performance has yet to be seen from Julian Nagelsmann's Germany side, as there were signs of trouble in their game against the Ivory Coast, especially considering they went a goal behind.
A defeat to Ecuador is now questioning what this tournament looks like for Germany, after a performance filled with errors.
If a team is struggling to make simple passes, such as what Germany were doing, giving away the ball in midfield and allowing themselves to be on the verge of a constant counter-attack, their decision-making was questionable. Sure, Ecuador managed to enclose them in midfield, but that doesn't mean Aleksander Pavlovic should be giving away the ball on a simple pass.
Their thought process and strategy will have to be better for the coming games, because they were being beaten in all areas of the pitch, and sure, they had nothing to play for. Still, it is no excuse for going out there posing no threat, for not pressing a team, and for not being a constant threat in the box, given their attacking quality.
Compared to what has been seen in their other two group games, it was a shallow performance and has likely given other teams looking at this current Germany side reason to suggest they can be hurt and punished if they are not at their best.
There was no intensity, creativity, or any indication that they had a plan to break down the Ecuadorian defence. They get away with it because it's a group-stage fixture and they had already sealed their spot for the first phase of the knockouts. But if Germany puts in another performance like that, it could be going home earlier than expected.
Time to reconsider Manuel Neuer
There is no doubting that Manuel Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers to have played for the national team and in club football. But with him no longer in his prime and getting older, it might be time to give a chance to play between the goalposts to someone else.
Neuer was far from secure all game, and at one point had his goalkick go straight to Ecuador's midfield. He has now gone nine consecutive World Cup matches without keeping a clean sheet; the last time he did was in the 2014 final.
Given Neuer's incredible legacy, it is a difficult task to drop someone who has had a great career. Still, if he can no longer do something he was strong at, such as guarding out set pieces, and he is not able to do that same task at 40 years old, then it is a decision and conversation that must be considered.
