Three Observations from Germany’s thrilling 4-3 win over Switzerland

Munich – A seven-goal thriller at the Allianz Arena ended with Germany edging Switzerland 4-3, but the scoreline only hints at the chaos that preceded it. Julian Nagelsmann’s experimental system produced fireworks at both ends, leaving more questions than answers three months before the World Cup.

1. The tactical maze that nearly sank Germany Nagelsmann billed the match as a laboratory for his most daring ideas, and the early returns were dizzying. The nominal 4-2-3-1 morphed into a lopsided 2-1-2-5, with Joshua Kimmich inverting into midfield, David Raum pushing to the by-line and the front four interchanging at will. The overloads on the right yielded chances, yet the cost was catastrophic: acres of grass behind the midfield for Switzerland to gallop into. All three Swiss goals originated from transitions in those vacated wide zones. Gegenpressing bought time, but the structural holes remained. Only after the hour mark, when Kimmich reverted to a more restrained role and Nick Woltemade introduced a traditional central reference, did Germany stabilise and eventually nick the winner.

2. Florian Wirtz offers a glimpse of Liverpool’s investment While the defensive shell cracked, Florian Wirtz illuminated the night. Operating between the lines, the 21-year-old recorded two goals and two assists, his one-touch combinations slicing through Switzerland’s back five. Replays of his curled equaliser and his no-look slide-rule pass for the fourth goal will be replayed on loop on Merseyside, where Liverpool broke their transfer record to secure him last summer. “He sees teammates he meets only every few months, yet the chemistry looks telepathic,” one German FA analyst noted. If Arne Slot cannot coax similar displays from the midfielder, the scrutiny will shift swiftly to the Anfield environment rather than the player.

3. Havertz, Sané and Baumann on thin ice Kai Havertz, deployed as the roaming focal point, slowed the tempo whenever the ball arrived at his feet; his heavy touch preceded Switzerland’s second strike. Leroy Sané hugged the right touchline but was, in effect, a ghost: no shots, no key passes, no defensive actions. Substitute Lennart Karl immediately provided thrust down the same flank, underscoring Sané’s anonymity. Behind them, goalkeeper Oliver Baumann failed to stop any of the three shots on target he faced, two of which were deemed savable. With Jonas Urbig looming as a dynamic alternative and Deniz Undav pushing for a starting berth up front, Nagelsmann has levers to pull before the tournament kicks off.

The victory keeps Germany’s autumn momentum intact, yet the defensive generosity and attacking imbalance will encourage future opponents. Scaling back the complexity, trusting Wirtz as the creative axis, and re-evaluating roles for Havertz, Sané and Baumann appear the urgent priorities as the World Cup countdown ticks into single-digit weeks.