Germany make slow start to Hansi Flick era

Liechtenstein 0-2 Germany, Kybunpark, St. Gallen
(Werner 41', Sane 77')

In his first game as Germany head coach, Hansi Flick wanted to excite people with attacking football again. Instead, Germany failed to push on after a refreshing first quarter of an hour and spent most of the game looking cramped and hesitant in the final third, unsure of where or how to thread the needle.

"It was a strange and difficult game, they sat really deep but I don't think I've experienced something like that before," Joshua Kimmich told RTL afterwards. "We'll take the win but we'd love to have scored more."

Having had just three coaching sessions before this game, Flick might have been overly optimistic with his declaration. But Liechtenstein is ranked 189th in the world and this was a chance to start a new era with a statement win.

"We have to score more goals," Flick said afterwards, who stressed he wanted to take the victory as a positive. "Those who played know it's not easy to score against teams who sit that deep. We needed too long to score but it's a process. I won't let one game take us off track. We're going to go our way. This was a start."

Before Timo Werner's neat finish after a superb assist from Jamal Musiala, a goalless scoreline at the break looked a real possibility. Few real chances followed, with even Leroy Sané's fine solo turn and finish somewhat of a surprise as a few signs of the labored Joachim Löw era lingered. Werner and Niklas Süle missed good chances in the air as Germany failed to play themselves free of what has been a painful year.

Job done

The small margin of victory will likely be met with criticism, although so long as qualification is secured how it was achieved becomes insignificant. After three games, Germany was third in their group. It was time to start winning.

With the World Cup next year Flick may not have a lot of time, but Germany can take solace from the fact the 56-year-old appears to excel when the clock is ticking. In just 86 games in charge at Bayern Munich he won seven trophies, including a treble in his first season. However uninspiring Germany's win against Liechtenstein was, getting Germany back to being contenders again in just over a year does not seem beyond Flick's capabilities.

Everything about Flick suggests he is a man who likes to get the point quickly. He changed his backroom staff, bringing in the highly regarded coach Danny Röhl as an assistant, Swiss goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg to take Manuel Neuer to even further heights, and Dane Mads Buttgereit to specifically help with set-pieces. Benedikt Höwedes, a member of the 2014 World Cup winning squad, has also arrived in a team manager capacity. In his first squad, he wasted no time in welcoming three new players and he rarely wastes words when he speaks.

His teams tend to reflect this desire for speed, and that his first Germany team spent more time deliberating than being dynamic will have frustrated him. There were signs of change though, Niklas Süle and Thilo Kehrer, Germany's central defensive pair, were noticeably quicker in moving the ball wide or forward, for example.

It's clear Flick wants his team to play fast, attractive football but if an unspectacular win against Liechtenstein suggests anything it's that it's going to take him a little longer to get Germany where they want to be.

Re-live Germany's win against Liechtenstein on page two:

Peeeeep! Liechtenstein 0-2 Germany

Germany have beaten Liechtenstein 2-0 in Hansi Flick's first game in charge. Almost the entire game was played in the home team's half but Germany lacked a cutting edge and managed only two goals against a team that they should have beaten far more comfortably. Werner and Sane scored and Musiala picked up an assist on his first start for Germany — all positives — and Flick will be happy with the win, but not very satisfied with the display. But a win's a win, and Germany head home with three points in the bag ahead of Sunday's game against Armenia in Stuttgart.

GOAL! Liechtenstein 0-2 Germany — Sane (77')

Goal number two finally arrives for Germany, who have made extremely heavy weather of this. But at least it's a quality strike by Sane, who crafts half a meter of space for himself and arrows a low shot into the bottom corner. Could be the boost he needs, and definitely the goal Germany needed to relax.

Reus returns

Marco Reus has entered the fray, replacing Jamal Musiala who has enjoyed a positive first Germany start, picking up an assist. It will be interesting to see how Reus, who sat out Euro 2020, will fit into the Germany team. Havertz and Baku also make way, with Hofmann and Gnabry coming on.

Sane struggles

This hasn't been a vintage display by anyone really, but it must be said that Leroy is struggling a bit out there. He seems to be utterly bereft of confidence, even against lowly opposition such as this. He badly needs to pick up a goal or an assist, but things just aren't going for him out there at the moment.

We go again

The second half is underway...

Oranges!

Half-time in St Gallen and Germany have a slender lead at the break. Not the deluge of goals that many expected, but Germany — and Hansi Flick — will be expecting more after the break.

GOAL! Liechtenstein 0-1 Germany — Werner (41')

A belated opener for Germany arrives courtesy of Timo Werner, but this is all about Jamal Musiala. The teenage star cuts inside from the left and embarks on a mazy run before threading a perfect ball through to Werner, whose cool finish slides under Benjamin Büchel. Germany in front just before the break.

Boring

Well, this has been really disappointing from a Germany perspective. Liechtenstein have defended really well but have simply not been tested by the Germans, who look extremely ponderous. No cutting edge in attack and not that many key chances being created. 

Post!

Gosens gets on the end of Kimmich's cross and glances it against the post. Germany getting closer...

All Germany

10 minutes in and it's all Germany, with Kimmich having gone closest with an effort that was saved by Liechtenstein keeper Benjamin Büchel, for whom it could be a busy night. Germany with 80% of the ball and just trying to make the breakthrough here.

50 and counting

Tonight is Ilkay Gündogan's 50th appearance for Germany, and surely he'll make many more appearances under Hansi Flick. A half century for one of Germany's most accomplished players. 

Go go go!

The Hansi Flick era gets underway in St Gallen, Switzerland.

Flick's XI

Hansi Flick's first XI as Germany coach includes Jamal Musiala, the teenage sensation who got his first Bayern start under Flick. There's also a starting berth for Ridle Baku at right-back. Thilo Kehrer and Timo Werner also get the nod with Bernd Leno coming in as goalkeeper, with Manuel Neuer injured and Marc-andre ter Stegen allowed to rest having only recently returned following surgery.

World Cup qualifying: Story so far

Germany currently sit third in Group J behind Armenia and North Macedonia, the side that beat them in Joachim Löw's final World Cup qualifier as head coach. More accustomed to the role of hunted and not hunter, Die Mannschaft will be keen to reclaim top spot as soon as possible and it could happen tonight if results go their way. 

Hansi Flick: Taking over

After inspiring a star-studded side who had lost their spark as Bayern Munich head coach, Hansi Flick is looking to repeat the trick with the German national team. Stepping into the big shoes left behind by Joachim Löw, the 56-year-old has promised a change in mindset as he looks to "create an all-in mentality."

From the player's mouth: Marco Reus

"It’s a great feeling, and I’m glad to be here again. The first few training sessions have been good, we’ve worked hard and the coach has tried to explain his philosophy to us. It will take some time before we can implement it, but as a team, we are getting used to the style of play."

From the coaches' mouth:

Hansi Flick:"It will be my first game as head coach Germany. In the past few days, we’ve piled a lot on them, but they’ve been really positive. I’m looking forward to our first international together, regardless of the opponent. I’m pleased to be responsible for our national team and hopefully being successful in this role."