Germany still winless in UEFA Nations League after Swiss draw
07 September, 2020
Germany were still waiting for their first-ever Nations League win once they gave a tired performance and were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland on Sunday.
Ilkay Gundogan gave Joachim Loew's side an ideal start with a clinical goal in the 14th minute but Silvan Widmer earned their smaller neighbours a deserved draw right before the hour.
Ultimately, Germany may have been grateful for the lead to the League AN ORGANIZATION 4 game as the much livelier hosts, unbeaten in their last 17 competitive matches at home, created the better chances.
Germany, who also let the lead slip in a 1-1 draw with Spain on Thursday, failed to win some of their four games in the inaugural Nations League 2 yrs ago and have drawn their opening two games this time around.
Switzerland have one point after losing their opener to Ukraine.
Germany coach Joachim Loew was left frustrated by his team's failure to capitalise on the early lead.
"We didn't take our chances for another goal and allowed Switzerland to assume control in the second half -- in the end I thought a draw was the right result," he said.
"When you lead 1-0 in two games and do not win either, it's annoying. It's a problem that people aren't finishing off games... I doubt that Switzerland would have come back from 2-0 behind."
Loew stuck with his three-man defence and his side made an early breakthrough.
Matthias Ginter, despite being surrounded by five defenders, laid the ball back again to Gundogan who rolled a go between Yann Sommer and his near post from 20 metres.
Julian Draxler must have added a second shortly afterwards but shot straight at Sommer.
Switzerland were disappointed by their old failing before goal with Haris Seferovic the largest culprit, mis-kicking from six metres after Djibril Sow's pass found him free.
The Benfica striker also hit the post just before halftime.
Breel Embolo's runs from midfield constantly troubled Germany and he create the equaliser in 58th minute.
The visitors lost possession in midfield, Embolo burst into the area and laid the ball off to Widmer who scored on his go back to the medial side after a three-year absence.
Granit Xhaka tested Leno with a long-range shot and was just wide with a free kick as Switzerland threatened a win.
Source: