Germany-Japan, German press explodes with anger

For the second consecutive world edition, the Germans lost their debut match

And who saw that coming? After a dominated first half, and an only slightly more balanced second half at least until 20′ from the end, Germany collapsed under the blows of a Japan as cynical as it was never tame. The resounding defeat has already resonated at home, where headlines in online newspapers have not failed to hurl their rants at the national team.

“Too many wasted chances, Germany loses World Cup debut match against Japan,” headlined Der Spiegel. “Debacle on debut,” insisted the Bild. The heaviest comment, however, goes to Die West: “Germany makes a fool of itself against Japan.”

Even on Twitter, there was no shortage of fierce criticism of the German players and their technical commissioner, Hans-Dieter Flick. For the Teutonic players, already the protagonists of a premature exit at the group stage at Russia 2018, the path has immediately gone uphill: the next match against Spain, which at this point becomes the compulsory favorite in Group E, will already be decisive.