Playing for 90
Fansided

Inexperienced Timo Werner shouldn’t be blamed for Germany’s World Cup failure

By Daniel Mercieca

SOCHI, RUSSIA - JUNE 23: Timo Werner of Germany reacts to a referee decision during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Germany and Sweden at Fisht Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - JUNE 23: Timo Werner of Germany reacts to a referee decision during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Germany and Sweden at Fisht Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Germany crashed out at the first stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1938.

It also marked the maiden occasion re-unified Germany didn’t advance past the group stages, forming a black cloud over a nation at the zenith of international football just four years ago.

Many fingers of blame have pointed out to various factors. Pre-tournament reservations about Joachim Low’s poor squad selection became a reality, the Germans had an aura of complacency, however leaving the blame at the doorstep of Timo Werner – in his first major tournament – is unjust.

Many have called the Leipzig striker a ‘huge flop’, and while his World Cup debut was admittedly underwhelming, it far from reflects the overall catastrophe that plagued Die Mannschaft throughout the competition.

https://twitter.com/pidg89/status/1012028603008258048

No goals and no assists are poor statistics. But carrying the weight of a nation is difficult for anyone, let alone a young striker with zero tournament experience and lacking the acumen the remainder of the side possesses.

2014 mainstays like Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos often failed to impress, and despite the latter briefly reigniting German hope, he and the rest of the side came crashing back to earth in brutal, yet unarguable, circumstances.

New hope turns to new despondency

Timo Werner has exemplified the rise of German underdogs RB Leipzig in the last couple of seasons. It has been blink-and-you-miss-it progress from him and the team, and his selection in the Germany World Cup squad was more than justified.

Werner chalked up 13 goals this season – as well as eight assists – which is a superb addition to a scorching debut Bundesliga term where he managed 21 goals.

More from Playing for 90

Those figures suggested the Leipzig forward would illuminate the World Cup, and though it wasn’t the case, anticipation that he would fire at his first major tournament was intensified far too much.

It could have been a World Cup to propel him to further stardom, however in the cold light of day, he is just 22 years of age and lifting Germany from what is now viewed upon as their darkest hour was a Herculean task no one could manage.

This squad hasn’t experienced the feeling of abject disappointment before, and it should spur Werner to come back better and stronger at the next competition.

Blaming him for their dreadful performances, however, won’t do him any good.

Werner is still yet to peak

Timo Werner, known for his electrifying pace and cool finishing, has matured at a rate swifter than most.

It is that, perhaps, which heightened the expectations and left many forgetting his youthful age.

With only two Bundesliga campaigns under his belt with Leipzig, he is still short of wisdom at both domestic and European levels. Hence why it was unfair to place him under pressure to perform on the biggest stage.

In two years’ time, at the European Championships, Germany will be able to gain a better perspective of Werner. And he has to improve at the next World Cup.

Next: 7 reasons why England can win the World Cup

But right now, he is still young. Germany are in what will seem a bottomless pit of misery however at the Euros they can atone for this travesty.

Werner will emerge a more experienced footballer, and so blaming him for this World Cup failure is inequitable.

Home/World Cup