Germany have been eliminated early from a World Cup for the third time in a row.
The problem is not a lack of talent or the coach's name, but the team's failure to define how they want to play.
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Philipp Lahm, the former Germany captain, wrote in a column that the national team has lacked continuity for a decade.
He said German football has not decided on a playing style, with constant new ideas and players in new positions.
Lack of Clear Concept
Lahm pointed out that Germany have always been successful when player roles were clearly defined and the team had a clear concept for attack and defense.
That conviction was missing at this World Cup.
The team did not look as if they had undergone the necessary process.
There was a lack of control in building play from the back through midfield and into attack, and in keeping possession in the opponent's half.
Germany used to be known as a “tournament team,” finding their rhythm as the tournament progressed. Those days are gone.
This time, the team got worse from game to game because promising approaches were abandoned even when they worked.
Nagelsmann's Experimentation
Lahm criticized coach Julian Nagelsmann for experimenting too much.
He said great teams like Spain or France always play according to the same pattern, while Nagelsmann changes systems and formations frequently.
Lahm gave examples: Joshua Kimmich should play in midfield for the national team as he does for Bayern Munich.
