Hard or hearty, that was a fine line to walk on Tuesday night.

But also one that guaranteed high tension and the best entertainment between Germany and England, football's favorite rivals.

However, the fact that from a German point of view it was only 1-1 at the end of a passionate, sometimes thrilling game was a nuisance for Hansi Flick and his team.

Christian Kamp

sports editor.

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After matching results against the Netherlands and Italy, it was the third straight draw against a football great – and easily the most frustrating.

The Germans had to reproach themselves for not having gotten more out of an excellent first half and a not so good second half than Jonas Hofmann's opening goal in the 51st minute.

The penalty followed in the 90th minute when Harry Kane converted a penalty kick to equalise.

Flick acknowledged the final whistle with obvious disappointment.

In the first half in particular, things looked very different.

Da not only enjoyed the refreshing impression of a German team that had been transformed in many ways and that, unlike on Saturday against Italy, were not guilty of slowing down the pace or even being partially dispassionate.

The Munich audience in the sold-out arena honored the homogeneous performance to the best of their ability, it tingled, it crackled - and it awakened the desire for more.

In terms of atmosphere, that was the impression, especially before the break, that the World Cup could already begin.

But now things continue with everyday life in the Nations League, on Saturday (8.45 p.m./in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on RTL) in Budapest against Hungary and on Tuesday in the second leg against Italy in Mönchengladbach.

What remained gratifying for Flick, however, was not just the friendly welcome he had been given at his old place of work.

But also that he had teased the right reaction out of his team.

The fact that it might be a bit more difficult for him to choose from now on can be seen as a win, even if the last half hour will be talked about.

The evening started with a joint gesture, both teams got on their knees as a sign against racism, the English had just been whistled at in Hungary, and there was applause in Munich.

In terms of sport, Flick had announced “one or the other change”.

In fact, he then turned his team more or less on the left compared to the 1-1 draw in Bologna.

There were seven changes in the starting eleven, Flick said on the ZDF microphone that this was "not a consequence of the Italy game" and referred to the burden of four international matches after a long season.

"We always say that we have great quality and density in the team, so we act accordingly." In detail, that meant: Klostermann and Raum instead of Kehrer and Henrichs in the defensive wing positions, Schlotterbeck replaced Süle in the center, Gündogan got Goretzka's place in front , Hofmann and Musiala stood in the middle row instead of Gnabry and Sané, and Havertz in front for Werner.

In addition to Captain Neuer, only Rüdiger, Kimmich and Müller remained in goal - Flick's axis, which should also guarantee stability up to and in Qatar.