Leipzig (Germany) (AFP)

Joachim Löw can breathe!

By beating the Czech Republic with a small goal (1-0) on Wednesday in a friendly, its "B" team gave it a breath of fresh air before the Nations League matches against Ukraine and Spain.

Luca Waldschmidt, the Benfica Lisbon striker who celebrated his fifth selection, scored the only goal of this game behind closed doors in the 13th minute, well served by the neophyte Philipp Max, left side of PSV Eindhoven.

But will this victory without panache really serve to prepare the meeting on Saturday against Ukraine, again in Leipzig, and Tuesday in Spain?

Not certain, insofar as Joachim Löw could change at least seven or eight players, to reinstate the stars left to rest on Wednesday, Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Toni Kroos and Emmanuel Neuer in particular.

These days, however, any victory is a good thing for the Mannschaft.

The selection of Joachim Löw was indeed four draws for only one victory in September-October.

For a few weeks now, criticism has been raining heavily on the coach, and fans continue to sulk their national team: before Covid-19, the quadruple world champions could no longer fill the stadiums, and since September, the TV audiences of Selection matches are breaking records on the downside.

- Trapp saves the victory -

The show offered on Wednesday will not suddenly awaken the lost passion.

Löw's young recruits have certainly played with enthusiasm, but showed the same limits as their elders in previous meetings.

Behind, unnecessary risk taking in the relaunch that could have been punished, such as this pass from the neophyte Riedle Baku directly to a Czech striker 25 meters from the goal (21st).

And ahead, an inability to transform clear opportunities into a goal, like the failed duels of Julian Brandt (32nd) and Nadiem Amiri (43rd) against Czech goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka, author of several beautiful parades in the evening.

Lucas Waldschmidt scored on an uncontrolled cross from Philipp Max (PSV Eindhoven), excellent in the left lane for his first selection (1-0, 13th).

At the start of the action, Pavlenka repelled a superb shot from Mönchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus, who also made a very good copy for his second cape.

But like his attackers, he missed two scoring chances in the second half that could have killed the game.

If Germany had not spoiled their opportunities, they could have easily reached the break with a 3-goal lead, and mass would have been said.

On the contrary, she trembled until the end, letting the Czechs take control of the match at times, and Kevin Trapp even saved the victory in the 82nd minute by deflecting an opponent's attempt with his fingertips.

© 2020 AFP