Despite the result, the performance from Julian Nagelsmann’s squad didn’t escape harsh scrutiny back home. Germany struggled to break down the side ranked 97th in the world, and it took two second-half goals from Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade to keep them at the top of their group.
Germany now face Slovakia on Monday, where even a draw will be enough to book their ticket to the World Cup. A Slovakian victory, however, would push them above Germany and leave Nagelsmann under even more pressure.
Wirtz, who has also faced questions about his early form since joining Liverpool in the summer, played the full match on the left side of a 4-2-3-1 system. He registered two shots on target and created one chance, but his efforts didn’t shield him from strong criticism in the German press.
The 22-year-old still remained positive after the game, sharing a message with fans on Instagram:
> “Important win. Enjoy the weekend, see you on Monday.”
German outlets were far less upbeat. Kicker described the narrow win as bordering on a “near embarrassment,” while Spiegel delivered a scathing assessment of Wirtz, claiming he lacked intensity, made poor decisions in tight spaces, and rarely showed the creativity he’s known for.
Nagelsmann, however, came to his defence during the international break. He noted that Wirtz’s adaptation to life at Liverpool has been made harder by the club’s inconsistent form this season, saying the youngster simply needs time—just like many players who make the move to the Premier League.
According to the German coach, Wirtz’s struggles are more a reflection of the team’s instability than the player’s individual qualities, adding that it’s difficult to make a major impact when the entire system isn’t clicking.
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