Always feels good to hear Peter Schilling’s ‘Major Tom’, doesn’t it? This match was a reminder of that special summer in 2024, where there was real belief behind Julian Nagelsmann and his team. A lot has
changed since then, but it appears Germany finally found their hunger and looked as sharp as ever at home in Leipzig. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
Jersey Swap: Stanislav Lobotka
No offense to Slovakia, but it was slim pickings in a downright bad game for the visitors. They simply could not handle the German attack, but Lobotka managed to still somewhat impress. Winning duels and making some excellent passes won’t count for much in a game like this, but at least he can steer the team in the right direction when Slovakia attempts to qualify via playoffs.
Der Kaiser: Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich could have won this award based on his first half tackle which saw him steal the ball from the Slovakian player and miraculously keep it in play in one swift tackle. It was a thing of beauty and proves exactly why he should be captain. His early assist gave Germany the confidence it needed to get the result in Leipzig.
Fußballgott: Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka quietly put in a solid performance. Not exceptionally standing out by any means, but did exactly what was needed of him. In a night with so many goals, it is easy to go unnoticed in the midfield, but Pavlović and Goretzka both did their job against Slovakia.
Der Bomber: Leroy Sané
A lot of people, including myself, were surprised to see Sané called up to Nagelsmann’s squad once again. It was Nagelsmann who said that it would take something special in Turkey to earn a call-up, something that Sané has not done yet at Galatasaray. Nonetheless, the call-up worked out excellently as Sané did more than enough to prove himself over the two matches, especially against Slovakia. The former Bayern Munich winger had two incredible finishes to score. Serge Gnabry and Nick Woltemade should not go uncredited as they both had excellent performances. This attack is serious, even without Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz.
Meister of the Match: Florian Wirtz
It felt harsh not to give Leroy Sané the MOTM, but Wirtz had showcased some absolute brilliance on Monday night. Wirtz was the definition of a football magician, providing some of his career best assists. Wirtz needs to come a long way in terms of confidence, but hopefully this match will put the wheels in motion to solidify his self-belief back in England. Everyone knows just how good he can be, and Germany needs him at his best in order to compete next summer. For now, it is great to see him deliver again.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
