In the Mercedes-Benz arena in Stuttgart, Germany and Spain played out what can be considered a fair draw, as neither side excelled in the opening fixture of the UEFA Nations League.
Chelsea’s new striker Timo Werner broke the deadlock for the hosts on the 51st minute, but Valencia’s Jose Luis Gaya was the unexpected hero for the visitors as he tapped home the equalizer after the end of added time.
Germany boss Joachim Low started with what seemed to be a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Julian Draxler playing in the hole just behind Werner and Leroy Sane. On the other hand, the returning Luis Enrique maintained Spain’s traditional 4-3-3 formation spearheaded by Leeds new boy Rodrigo, with Jesus Navas and Ferran Torres on the wings.
After a slow start, the match came to life thanks to a delightful Toni Kroos cross, but Thilo Kerher’s header was saved by David De Gea at the near post.
A few minutes later, a terrible back pass by Emre Can gifted Rodrigo a golden chance to open the score, but the German goalkeeper quickly came out of his goal to save the day. But at this point, it was obvious that the German defenders were struggling to play the ball from the back.
In the 18th minute, we witnessed the highlight of the first half, as Sane’s wonderful shot was destined for the far corner until De Gea pulled out an incredible flying save.
By the end of the first period, Spain were the slightly better side, with their composed defenders able to sort out the danger of Sane’s runs, and their attackers’ speed causing problems for the slow German defenders. And yet neither side was able to score a goal in a mostly forgettable first half.
After the break, Spain picked up where they left with the introduction of Barcelona’s new wonder boy Ansu Fati further energizing their attack.
But against the run of play, Germany took the lead after a menacing counter-attack reached Robin Gosens on the left flank, and the Atalanta wing-back played the simple assist for Werner who escaped Pau Torres and put his shot on De Gea’s right, leaving the Man United shot-stopper all stranded.
After breaking the deadlock, Germany could have doubled the lead on multiple occasions as the attacking trio of Werner, Sane, and Draxler were able to connect brilliantly with one another, but just lacked the final touch.
At the hour mark, the seemingly tired Sane was replaced by center-back Matthias Ginter as Joachim Low opted for his own version of the catenaccio and went even further by the end of the match by introducing yet another defender in Robin Koch and taking off the lone striker Werner.
The German coach’s uncharacteristic tactics almost secured him the win, but the Spaniards, who dominated possession for almost the entire second half, never gave up and were rewarded with a last-second goal.
Ferran Torres crossed from the right flank to Rodrigo who brought the ball down for Gaya, and the Valencia left-Back only had to tap the ball into the Germany net from the goal-line and secure Spain a vital first point in the Nations League.
MATCH REPORT
September 3, 2020 – Nations League 2020-21 Group D
GERMANY-SPAIN 1-1
SCORERS: Werner (G) 51′, Gaya (S) 95′
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GERMANY (4-2-3-1): Trapp; Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Gosens; Emre Can, Kroos; Draxler, Gundogan (74′ Serdar), Sané (63′ Ginter); Werner (91’Koch) (Leno, Baumann, Tah, Neuhaus, Brandt, Waldschmidt, Havertz) Coach: Low |
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SPAIN (4-3-3): De Gea; Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pau Torres, Gayá; Fabian Ruiz (80′ Rodriguez), Busquets (57′ Merino), Thiago Alcantara; Jesús Navas (46′ Ansu Fati), Rodrigo, Ferran Torres (Kepa, Unai Simón, Llorente, Dani Olmo, Moreno, Eric Garcia, Rodri, Reguilon) Coach: Luis Enrique |
REFEREE: Orsato (Italy)
NOTES: No Yellow Cards