The 0: 1 at the start against France, in which the German team hardly had a chance, produced various interpretations: that the French were simply too strong, "world champions in defending", as Joachim Löw called it, but also that the efforts of his team were too weak, as some players put it.
Christian Kamp
Sports editor.
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The question that was hidden behind this and that was discussed this week is now: Did the German poverty of opportunities have structural causes?
And what would the national coach have to change against Portugal this Saturday (6 p.m., live in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship, on ARD and MagentaTV)?
Löw announced on Friday evening more offensive spirit and also "tactical changes".
It remained open, however, whether this would be noticeable in the line-up.
At first glance, there are indeed some arguments in favor of a return to the familiar 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation.
The German team would have one more offensive player in the center, and Joshua Kimmich could move back to his beloved sixth position at the side of Toni Kroos.
In theory, Löw could even do that with the same players who started against France. However, that's where it starts to get complicated. Ilkay Gündogan would have to be pushed further forward, where he would meet Thomas Müller very soon. How that would work would be largely speculation, and Müller certainly feels more comfortable with getting more from the depths. Then Löw might have to sacrifice Gündogan. Or even Müller?
Here it becomes clear early on in what difficult position Löw has put himself with the oops-hops return including the extensive game guarantee. That could be exciting - if Germany stays in the tournament longer. Leon Goretzka is ready again, even if not yet for the starting line-up. For the moment, however, it seems more likely that Löw will follow the Löw interpretation and change little or nothing at all. Especially since the team has put a lot of energy into rehearsing the back three in the short preparation time.
So it could come down to the question of individual personnel changes, specifically: Do Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry have their starting place safe? It depends on details that cannot be seen from the outside, training performance, physical condition (Gnabry), and in the end Löw's gut feeling: Who does he trust to become important in the further course of the EM. Leroy Sané and / or Timo Werner? In any case, one thing is clear: Taking the wind out of the sails of the Champions League winner Havertz would come pretty early.