Where did it all go wrong for Germany?

Last night Germany stumbled to a 2-0 defeat to home nation France to see themselves missing out on Sunday's final vs Portugal. Two Antoine Griezmann goals were decisive in a very close game edged by two individual mistakes from Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Whilst a narrow Semi Final loss won't be described as a dismal campaign, German players and fans alike will feel despondent since they believe they would have swept aside an underperforming Portugal side in the final.

Selection troubles
The likes of Matt Hummels (suspended), Sami Khedira (injured) and Mario Gomez (injured) were all out of contention and forced Low to start a weakened, unorthodox team with Muller at striker, the Munich man is a natural CAM who has struggled for goals this campaign. Many will blame injuries and suspension for Germany's loss since they were forced to end the match with their 3rd and 4th choice centre backs on the pitch. Khedira's strong tackling and tactical nous was missing in a game where Matuidi, Pogba and Sissoko controlled the midfield throughout the second half. Furthermore the loss of Gomez was most significant as Germany struggled in front of goal.

The missing man 
Towards the end of the game Germany had Gotze,Muller, Draxler, Ozil, Kroos and Sane on the pitch, all of whom are creative midfielders yet are far from major goal threats. Kimmich swung in cross after cross however these rarely connected since Germany lacked aerial threat offensively (excluding Muller) against Koscielny and Umtiti by consequence Lloris was comfortable for the large parts. The game was crying out for a Lewandoski, an Ibrahimovic, even a Giroud, up top for Germany however they had little to offer and as a result France left overjoyed with a clean sheet. Perhaps the powerhouse of Podolski would have been a much more effective option for Low ahead of bringing on more playmakers in the forms of Gotze and Sane.

Individual mistakes

Is this the end of Schweinsteiger's international career ?

England's most recent tournament troubles have seen blame heaped upon the lack of experience in the  youngest squad in the tournament, Germany had the 2nd youngest with an average age of just 25, however the finger can only be pointed at the experienced members of their squad. Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger hold your heads in shame. Whilst the midfielder got a hand to the ball to gift France a penalty Neuer simply didn't get enough of a hand to the ball to divert the danger for the 2nd French goal.


Misfortune 
Unlike England Germany were far from disastrous. They dominated the whole game with a 66% possession record to boast in addition to 18 shots to France's 16, 5 of which were on target. Had the referee ignored a weak penalty claim Germany would have entered half time confident of their grasp of the game. A muscular injury to the rock that is Boateng did not help their cause. If Kimmich's beautiful strike had not hit the upright instead the net and Lloris not made two seemingly impossible saves then it would have been France labelled as 'flops' or 'disappointing'. At the end of the day that's football for you.