THEY’VE HAD IT all their own way for so long so it’s not surprising the world champions’ defeat in Dublin left the German media far from impressed.
Despite losing to Ireland, Germany need just a point against Georgia to confirm their automatic qualification for Euro 2016, while three points would guarantee them first spot.
But it was a night to forget for Joachim Löw and his side as they slumped to a second defeat of the qualifying campaign.
Prominent tabloid Bild were particularly critical in their assessment of the performance. Mario Gotze and Jerome Boateng were both given 3 out of ten in the player ratings while the rest didn’t fare much better.
The newspaper went onto admit that the loss ‘brings us unexpectedly into trouble’ and now the Germans ‘suddenly have a little shiver.’
Die Welt said the defeat served as a revealing exercise for Löw and that lessons must be learned from the manner of the reversal. While criticising their own team, the German press, to be fair, were full of praise for Ireland and the home fans.
“The cheers of the sold-out Aviva Stadium is likely to ring in the German football players ears for a long time. The Irish fans celebrated their team’s victory over the world champion so euphoric that the arena roof trembled.”
Many of the newspapers commented on the atmosphere inside the Aviva Stadium and how the home supporters celebrated ‘like they’d won a title’.
Der Tagesspiegel said: “After the final whistle, it was time for a classic. From the stadium loudspeakers blared “Just Can not Get Enough” by Depeche Mode from the deep eighties. The spectators in Dublin could not get enough at all. The Germans, however, were more than served. For the first time they lost a competitive match against Ireland.”
The Zeit Online website described the result as ‘The Green Miracle’ but also blasted their own team for complacency.
“Oh football, you old, strange game! Because of you, the Irish singing suddenly through the night and the Germans come back to ponder.
“Too much was still remembered from the World Cup qualifying match almost exactly three years ago. Same city, same stadium in which they had a 6-1 win”.
