Remember what Joshua Kimmich said before Germany's first match in this World Cup! There is no reason not to. But forgetting that, I guess the German rightback must be talking about something else in the dressing room now. Hey, what does it matter if you lose the first match! Do not remember the 2010 World Cup?
Depending on the situation, sometimes the same event can have two meanings. What did Kimich say before? He said, it is very important to win the first match. After losing their first match at the last Euro, Germany did not win another title.
Kimmich did not go until the 2018 World Cup. Germany lost the first match of the service. Which had to be paid after 80 years with a first round exit.
After losing the first match to Japan, Germany is facing that nightmare again. There is also talk of the almost unreal possibility of Germany being eliminated in the first round of two consecutive World Cups. If that possibility finally materializes, the excitement will not be limited to German football. Will shake the world of football. The World Cup is said to be the most successful team in football history!
The most successful team? Where did Brazil go? Yes, Brazil also deserves this accolade for being the most-time champions. But if you think about the consistency of performance, there is no one else close to Germany. Even Brazil could not play in the final eight times. A little more detail will make the German-glory more understandable. 1966 to 1990—Germany reached at least the semi-finals in six of the seven tournaments, making the final five times. From 2002 to 2014, it was in the semi-finals in four consecutive World Cups, and reached the finals twice.
All this is ancient history. However, when in danger, the parties look for motivation from these. German coach Hansi Flick seems to be looking for the same. The eternal German fighting character is his hope. That's why when talking about pressure, he replies casually, 'We have a habit of this. We have come back many times from such situations.'
It is not a lie. Gary Lineker's immortal quote about German football was never born. Football is a game of 22 people, in the end so that Germany will win — what English striker said with less sadness!
But German-machines also sometimes break down. As it happened in the last World Cup, also in the last Euro. This time the challenge is also very big. Germany, shocked by an unexpected defeat in the first match, has to face Spain, who played eye-catching football in the first match. Those who talk seems to have some additional missions in this match apart from ensuring that they reach the next round. Dami Olmo plays for Bundesliga team Leipzig. Even if the match is lost, Spain will have a chance to go to the next round, why this midfielder declared the match as 'final'. After doing it, he said, 'qualifying is the first goal, but...'. The meaning of this 'however' and the dots after it can be guessed. Dismissal from Germany.
As Asensio has made it clear, he doesn't want to go into the final game against Japan with a 'must do this-must do that' equation to advance to the next round. He wants to settle the matter in the match against Germany.
There are many examples of being eliminated in the first round after losing the first match. But there is only one example of becoming a champion. Big teams look for inspiration from history when they lose their first match. The assumption at the beginning of writing that Kimi is also looking. The funny thing is, for that, Kimmich and Germany have to give a hand to the opponent of today's match. In 2010, Spain became champions despite losing the first match to Switzerland. A history that has been much studied since Argentina started the World Cup with a loss to Saudi Arabia. More so after Germany lost the first match.
Couldn't become champions like Spain, but after losing the first match, both Argentina-Germany teams have the experience of playing the final. In the 1990 World Cup, Argentina reached the final despite losing to Cameroon. Germany lost to Algeria in the 1982 World Cup.
Germany, however, was not so easy. Germany faced Austria in the last match of the group. The other two teams in the group, Algeria and Chile, had played the previous day. The equation is that a win for Germany by one or two goals will see them through to the next round with Austria. Algeria will be left out.
Germany scored within 10 minutes. The rest of the time the two teams played sleep football. The match took place in Gihan. That is why it is called 'Gihon's scandal'.
Now there is no chance for such a thing to happen. But for the second time in a row, if Germany leaves the first round, you can call it a 'scandal' in another sense!
