‘Can’t detect any DNA in national team’: Lothar Matthaus slams Germany after loss to Slovakia in World Cup qualifiers

The sporting director Voller says he backs the coach Julian Nagelsmann and the team to rebound quickly

German players stand on the pitch after losing the World Cup Group A qualifying soccer match between Slovakia and Germany in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Lothar Matthaus, the most capped German footballer, has been “almost shocked” after Germany’s 0-2 loss to Slovakia in the world cup qualifiers. He has taken aim at the “mentality” of players, the tactics of the coach Julian Nagelsmann, and the need to “stabilise defense”. The sporting director Rudi Völler has tried to throw his weight behind the coach and the team, and hopes for a quick turnaround.

Matthaus was concerned about the state of the national team. “Currently, I can’t detect any DNA in the German national team. Teams like Spain or Argentina represent a style of play; I don’t see that in Germany at the moment,” Matthaus told the daily Bild.

“The performance of the German team completely surprised me, almost shocked me. Because in the end, you have to say: The score was lucky. If goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was still the best man after a 2-0 defeat, that speaks volumes about the performance. Concentration, grit, passion—all of that was missing. Germany was caught off guard by a tactically well-prepared Slovakian team. The German team wasn’t focused on the pitch.”

Story continues below this ad

He then talked about the tactics of the coach. “The tactics and formation surprised me. I think the basic formation should be a 4-2-2-2, the same one Nagelsmann sometimes used during his time at RB Leipzig. He makes a lot of tactical changes, shifts during games, and constantly tries out new routines. I can’t expect Collins to perform well in his first international match when he has to completely adapt and be asked to do things in a system he doesn’t normally play in Frankfurt,” Matthaus said. “Concentration, grit, passion—all of that was missing. Germany was caught off guard by a tactically well-prepared Slovakian team. The German team wasn’t focused on the pitch.

“Two weeks ago, I made a top eleven that featured more players who excel in mentality. I’m thinking of Andrich, Anton, and Schlotterbeck, if he’s fit. They’re mentality players.”

German football’s sporting director Rudi Völler also spoke to Bild about the game’s aftermath, and how he still backs the coach.

“We all slept badly the night after the game. We agree that we have to put on a completely different performance against Northern Ireland (Germany’s next game). We want to engage the fans from the first minute, and act with energy and courage after this setback. Footballing quality paired with commitment: that’s what we have to show now. We have to ensure that people are proud of their national team, just like they were at the EURO.

Story continues below this ad

“Things are viewed critically; that’s normal after such a defeat, and you have to deal with it. But that doesn’t change the fact that Julian connects with the players incredibly well. Even in defeat, he has a very good way of getting them on board. That’s a special quality he possesses: Great coaches are characterized by the fact that they present themselves in front of the group with total confidence, even after setbacks. And that’s what Julian does. “I’m not at all worried that the criticism of Julian will increase.