"We're no longer a top team, we've settled into mediocrity," Bastian Schweinsteiger told goal.com after Germany's 0-1 home defeat to Greece in Augsburg on Sunday night. Dimitrios Kourbelis scored in the 74th minute, and the result was Germany's first-ever defeat against Greece across 11 competitive meetings.
He did not stop there. Schweinsteiger also said Germany had failed to put enough pressure on the opponent and pointed to a lack of players who can change games. Speaking to Metro, he named Christos Tzolis, Konstantinos Karetsas and Vangelis Pavlidis as the kind of difference-makers Germany do not have.
Germany's problems in possession
The complaint is harsh, but the performance gives it some backing. Germany had 76% of the ball against Greece and still lost, which fits Schweinsteiger's point about pressure without enough end product. Their winless run is now four games, and Florian Wirtz's subdued 25-minute cameo has already drawn criticism in some German media, even if the wider issue clearly goes beyond one player.
Schweinsteiger also pushed responsibility onto the squad itself. "Klopp isn't a magician. It's hard work. But the players also need to ask themselves a little: Is this all there is?" he said.
Serbia and the quick rematch
Jurgen Klopp said the group has been together for a week and needs time, adding that the result is "not cool" but part of the process. Germany now host Serbia on October 1 before travelling to Greece three days later.
That double-header gives Germany little room to hide. The first meeting with Greece already brought a first defeat in the fixture, and the rematch arrives with Klopp still trying to settle a squad he has described as mixed together.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
