What lessons can Germany take from the World Cup? That is the question everyone in and around the DFB is wrestling with in the wake of another disappointing tournament exit.
Former Bayern Munich and Germany star Phillip Lahm has said the Germans “don’t need to copy” world-champion Spain — and DFB director Rudi Völler thinks that runner-up Argentina is not the model, either.
“I said that, as Germany, we need to defend better. Many people pointed to Argentina as the example to follow. I thought that was
a poor example,” Völler explained in comments captured by Bild, via @iMiaSanMia. “All of a sudden, Argentina became the benchmark. I found that discussion a bit hypocritical.
“I don’t want a team that plays like Argentina. That has nothing to do with football. Yes, they were world champions in 2022 and runners-up this year. But I genuinely didn’t understand all the praise they received from so many people. That was overly aggressive and sometimes unsportsmanlike.”
Völler, however, might have a bone to pick with Lahm. While the disruptive and foul-happy Argentines did not strike a chord, Spain and even Thomas Tuchel’s England did.
“Spain deserved all the praise, and England also defended very well,” Völler added.
Jürgen Klopp’s rebuild will not be an easy one. Germany in defense in particular has not consistently resembled a side anywhere close to the top level for a long time. How quickly can Klopp assemble the pieces to resemble any of these potential models — and which way will he go?
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