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SportsKlinsmann: Current German team too soft, lacks mental toughness
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Former German national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann criticized the current German squad as 'too soft' after their round of 16 exit at the 2026 World Cup. Germany lost 3-4 on penalties to Paraguay following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Klinsmann argued the players lack physical resilience and the ability to endure pain, contrasting them with past German teams that could win in late stages. He praised Argentina as a model for exhausting opponents and winning in final moments. The defeat has sparked calls for reform within the German Football Association, with Klinsmann emphasizing that the team's issues are not just tactical but also involve a lack of fighting spirit and mental attributes.
Source report
Hupu Football News – July 20 – The German national team's journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ended in the round of 16. After 120 minutes of play, Germany drew 1-1 with South American powerhouse Paraguay, ultimately losing 3-4 in a penalty shootout and exiting the tournament in disappointment. The result has not only disappointed fans but also sparked deep reflection within German football on the team's mental state and physical competitiveness.
Former German national team head coach Jürgen Klinsmann believes the German players appeared "too soft" on the World Cup stage, lacking the ability to endure pain and failing to earn respect through tough play in physical battles.
"They are too soft, unable to endure pain, and can't even put out an elbow to earn respect. But at the highest level of world football, physical confrontation remains a decisive factor."
Klinsmann specifically pointed out that the German team seemed helpless against opponents with superior physical attributes and resolute tactical execution in this tournament. Whether facing Ecuador in the group stage or Paraguay in the knockout round, both teams caused significant trouble for Germany through fast counterattacks and tough defense.
"It's different from 20, 30, or 40 years ago, when we could always find a way to score in the final moments."
He believes this reflects a worrying decline in German football's physical toughness and mental resilience.
In stark contrast is Argentina's performance. Klinsmann praised Argentina for showing the world another way to win:
"Maybe we are not the strongest team, but we are ready to push beyond our limits and decide the game in the final minutes."
He lamented that the German team once possessed this ability to snatch victory in the dying moments, but the current squad falls far short of that level.
"If there is a textbook example in world football of exhausting an opponent and winning in the final moments, it is Argentina."
For the German Football Association, the World Cup defeat has once again sounded the alarm for reform. Klinsmann believes the team's issues go beyond tactics, involving a lack of mental attributes and fighting spirit.
Source: sport.de
Posted in Shanghai | Reads: 477
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User comment: It's still about player quality. You want to be tough, but you don't have that kind of treatment either. It's equally difficult.
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User comment: Italy: I'm in the same boat
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虎扑 - 足球Regional
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