2:3 defeat against Belgium! Tedesco shows Hansi Flick how EM euphoria works

In less than 15 months, the home European Championship will begin for the DFB team. It has been a little clearer since Tuesday that Hansi Flick must use the time perfectly until then. In the 2: 3 (1: 2) in Cologne against Belgium, coached by Domenico Tedesco, the guests showed that they are already a good deal further.

When Flick asked his professionals for a final meeting in the stadium’s catacombs shortly after 11 p.m., he must have encouraged them. They won’t see each other again until June, but the last impressions will stick. They revealed that the DFB team has plenty of work ahead of them. Because Belgium was mostly a size too big.

Flick and Tedesco both have the European Championship title in 2024 as their goal

A delightful duel in front of 42,910 fans in a sold-out house. Flick and Tedesco met for the first time. Two German coaches, two teams and one task: After the disappointing World Cup on both sides, both want to form a new team with the elimination of the preliminary round, which can have a say in the fight for the European Championship title in summer 2024. Tedesco seems to be on track. The Belgians, with ex-HSV pros Onana (Everton) and Mangala (Nottingham) in the starting XI, broke up the DFB team, which lacked top performers Musiala and Havertz, into all its individual parts in the first few minutes.

Catastrophic beginning of the German team: After nine minutes, Belgium leads 2-0

Less than six minutes had passed when it rattled in the German case for the first time. Carrasco nibbled on Wolf after a De Bruyne pass and completed the effort under the bar – the 0: 1.

Three minutes later the next low blow. This time Lukaku played cat and mouse with the German cover and scored effortlessly to make it 0:2 (9th).

A terrible start for the DFB team, which also largely silenced the Cologne fans. Could have been worse. Lukebakio (19th) twisted free-standing, then Onana headed the crossbar (21st).

With Nmecha and Can momentum and structure comes into the German game

Flick reacted, took down the weak Wirtz and the ailing Goretzka, brought Can and debutant Felix Nmecha (32nd). Even before the break, the German fans were allowed to cheer. Füllkrug headed the ball into Lukaku’s hand and converted the penalty to make it 1:2 (44′). Goal number six by Bremen in the sixth international match – no other DFB kicker has managed that in this millennium.

International debut for ex-HSVer Josha Vagnoman

Which gives a little hope: Flick’s team showed a reaction after the change, driven by the grateful fans. Gnabry came close to equalizing (53′). But the Belgians remained more effective: De Bruyne completed a counterattack with the 1:3 (78th). Gnabry’s connection goal came a little too late (87th).

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After all: For a DFB kicker, the evening ended really well. Ex-HSV professional Josha Vagnoman made his international debut ten minutes before the end. He will remember the defeat fondly.