The qualification campaign for the German World Cup started catastrophically with a 2-0 surprise defeat against Slovakia in the middle of the week. The defensive performance was particularly poor and amateur, the team having shown vulnerable throughout the match. At the heart of criticisms is the defender of Real Madrid Rudiger, whose errors were decisive in the two Slovak goals. After the final whistle, the frustration broke out behind the scenes, the players openly expressed in the locker room.
Rüdiger also criticized for his poor performance
Rüdiger calls for unity and solidarity
This defeat marks the first defeat outside Germany in qualification for the World Cup and its third consecutive defeat in competition. This defeat caused a shock wave within the national team, whose morale is already questioned. Coach Julian Nagelsmann has publicly criticized the team for his lack of emotion and for playing with handbrakes. It has since been revealed that he and Rüdiger have let the team go wild in the locker room after the match.
According to Bild, Rüdiger has taken the initiative to personally address his teammates, the main message being unity and solidarity.
“We have to act as a team now. We can only get out of it. No one, except ourselves, can help us. We can only get there together and with solidarity. »»
Stuttgart defender, Maximilian Mittelstadt, reiterated this point: “The coach of course addressed the team. Toni Rüdiger also spoke to the team. I don't think it is necessary to talk a lot, however; We all know that it was just not a good performance. But we have shown in the past that we were able to show another face. »»
