After the Corona whirlwind of the past few days, the German national team completed its last home match of the year against Liechtenstein in a dutiful and befitting manner. At the same time, Hansi Flick beat the starting record of his predecessor Joachim Löw, who was again given a dignified farewell. A comment …
Unlike the tough 2-0 win in the first leg Hansi Flick’s team had an easy time of it this time, as the number 190 in the FIFA world rankings weakened themselves early on by sending off Jens Hofer without alternative. In the end, the 9-0 win was the highest in 15 years; in the history of the DFB team, there have only been four higher victories. Flick’s sixth win in six matches also surpassed the record of five set by his predecessor Joachim Löw in 2006.
The 25,984 good-humoured spectators in the Volkswagen Arena, which was filled to capacity due to corona conditions, rewarded the four-time world champions’ incessant attacking efforts with much applause at the end. True to Flick’s motto of exuding activity and intensity right up to the last minute, the hosts never switched to administrative mode.
As expected, this blatantly one-sided showdown could not have any sporting significance. And if there was anything marginally to criticise, it was at best the use of chances. In the end, the ratio of top-class scoring opportunities was 26:0.
The last hurrah for the world champion coach
Before the present, the DFB recalled the past. The official farewell to Joachim Löw would certainly have deserved a different setting than a game in cold, wet autumn weather against a football dwarf in provincial Wolfsburg. Regardless, this last hurrah for the world champion coach, who left office after the exit in the European Championship round of 16 against England and a total of 15 years in charge, was worthy.
To the sound of Andreas Bourani’s World Cup anthem “Ein Hoch auf uns”, former companions such as Per Mertesacker, Sami Khedira and Miroslav Klose stood guard as Löw stepped onto the pitch, received the certificate as “coach of the century” and left the field to “Jogi-Jogi” chants.
Löw watched the entertaining action on the pitch from the stands alongside former DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach. The goal record during his tenure, the 13:0 against San Marino on 6 September 2006, was not in danger in Wolfsburg after all.