At the end of Thursday evening there were still quite a few happy people in Sankt Gallen.

The 8000 fans in Kybunpark were happy to be able to watch a football match live in the stadium and some jerseys were handed out to the stands.

The German players were relieved that, despite an anything but enchanting performance, it was enough to win the 2-0 qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

And those from Liechtenstein considered themselves very lucky that, as a blatant outsider, they had only conceded two goals from the four-time world champion.

Tobias Rabe

Responsible editor for Sport Online.

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As a reward, there were beer in plastic cups and even a bratwurst from their own fans. Liechtenstein coach Martin Stocklasa was enthusiastic about the performance of his players, only four of whom are professionals and the others are mostly in lower leagues in neighboring Switzerland like millions of after-work footballers in Germany. His national players “threw everything in” and delivered “a top performance”, said the proud coach: “The game, the defeat, is almost like a victory for us. For us this is a sensational result. "

Because the playing field in its own stadium in Vaduz is being renovated, the principality's choice had to move to Switzerland.

After 15 years Joachim Löw had a premiere there: Hansi Flick made his debut as national coach.

After the last leaden heaviness that had settled on the first team of the German Football Association (DFB), there was a lot of talk in the days before the game about fun and new beginnings.

But it is known to be difficult.

And so it happened: only Timo Werner (41st minute) and Leroy Sané (77th) scored against number 189 in the world rankings.

"The team lacks trust"

Flick later made a rather good face about the game. “Without a doubt, we would all have wished that we could score more goals,” said the national coach after his debut. “I also understand that the fans in Germany may be a bit disappointed with the result.” However, the former coach of FC Bayern, where he won several titles, advertised the rating for mildness: “In the end, you have to say it was only first a beginning with which we are not entirely satisfied. I can't blame the team because we tried to press the opponent immediately against the ball. "

That should be a trademark of the new national team. But the pressing was not a stylistic device that was decisive for success that evening, as the Germans almost always had the ball because Liechtenstein focused primarily on a massive defense. Apart from the lively first minutes with good chances from Joshua Kimmich (4th), Timo Werner (7th) and Robin Gosens (20th), the Germans bit their teeth at the opponent's strategy. "What you can tell is that the team doesn't have that confidence that they can score goals," said Flick.

This is still a legacy of the Joachim Löw era, who, as previously announced, gave up his post after the unsuccessful European Championship. After the knockout round of 16 against England, things should go uphill, ideally at the World Cup starting in 14 months, but at the latest at the European Championships in 2024 in their own country. But the way is long, very long. “Everything has not yet worked as we imagined. It is a beginning. And we have to see that we can do better at the things we analyze, ”said debutant Flick. Ultimately, the team must “deliver when it counts”.

She gets the chance this Sunday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for World Cup qualification and on RTL) if Armenia is the opponent. The team around the former Dortmund-based Henrich Mchitarjan came to a 0-0 at the Deutschland-Schreck North Macedonia, against which there was an embarrassing 1: 2 for the Löw-Elf in March and is one point ahead of Germany first in the qualifying group. With a home win in Stuttgart, the DFB team could pass before they play in Iceland on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for World Cup qualification and on RTL).

Joshua Kimmich, who stood in for the pausing Manuel Neuer as captain, was close to Flick in his analysis. “The bottom line is that we take the win with us,” he said, and admitted: “Still, we would have liked to have scored more goals. It was a strange game. Nothing really worked. ”And goal scorer Werner, who, like the young assistants Jamal Musiala and the very committed Sané, was able to collect the first plus points from the new supervisor Flick, said:“ We are starting to learn what he asks of us. It wasn't the best first step, but it was a good first step. "

It is uncertain whether Robin Gosens can play against Armenia. The full-back had to be replaced in the closing stages with an injury on his left foot. An exact diagnosis is still pending. Flick reported, however, that Gosens was “in great pain”. The plan for Sunday is still clear: Anything but a win would disrupt the restart more sensitively than the less than optimal, but at least successful start against Liechtenstein. “We can pull over on Sunday. That's why that's our goal, "said Flick, who will have positive memories of the evening in Sankt Gallen:" It's a special victory because it was my first international match. "