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Rough times for Germany
Posted: Thursday June 15, 2000 10:19 AM
Germany thought it had a rough time of it coming into the European Championship finals, but it clearly hadn't seen anything yet. Pre-Euro 2000, several current and a couple of former internationals turned on coach Erich Ribbeck. Bayern Munich's Jens Jeremies was even booted out of the squad for his out-of-line comments. Legendary Franz Beckenbauer said he had never seen a German national team so full of ordinary players. Germany was considered long in the tooth and short on ideas. Then game one of Euro 2000 arrived, against Romania -- and the problems just kept on flowing. Lothar Matthäus, just back from injury, didn't look match-fit and was woefully out of position in Romania's early raids on the normally resolute, but suddenly wretched, defense. Captain Oliver Bierhoff had several chances to quiet those critics who claim his lack of goalscoring prowess of late should have him warming the bench. He didn't take any of them. Germany emerged with a 1-1 draw. But for the awful miss by Romanian striker Viorel Moldovan in the second half, it could have been worse. Then the rumblings grew. There was growing discontent in the German camp. Some squad members apparently felt they were having to cover too much for Matthäus -- that at 39 he was a liability. The only reason he was keeping his place in the team, it was claimed, was because he was Ribbeck's favorite.
Ribbeck said: "Lothar is a favorite of mine, but that has nothing to do with my role as manager. I have to be absolutely subjective because my responsibility is to the team, whether I like or dislike individual players." Ribbeck has said Matthäus will start the crucial Group A match against England in Charleroi, Belgium, on Saturday. But what of Bierhoff, one of the players who appeared to be rebelling against Matthäus while simultaneously coming under fire himself? He would have started, in spite of his recent woes in front of goal. But on Wednesday, he picked up a calf injury and was ruled out for 8-10 days. He will miss Germany's last two group games. Another problem of sorts for Ribbeck, but one which may be a blessing in disguise. No Bierhoff and a sub-par Matthäus. Not a superstar in sight. Saturday's lineup could quite possibly be the most ordinary German lineup in living memory.
The problems might just keep on pouring forth for the beleaguered Ribbeck, if it weren't for the fact that his team plays England next -- and England hardly is in the greatest mindset either after surrendering a two-goal lead to Portugal. So Ribbeck might just find all the internal squabbling can be put on hold, the changes can be made to the team and the old enemy England can be beaten again -- before he has to return to the cold harsh reality that Matthäus is past it, Germany is foundering and his job is destined for another.
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