Germany told to stop the self-deception after World Cup shock

Germany's World Cup reality check is not going away, and the numbers do not flatter. A round-of-32 exit was the result, but the deeper problem is that the German game has spent years overestimating its place at the top table, with former coaches admitting publicly that the team cannot compete on talent with the elite right now. Jurgen Klopp's pressing style is seen as the only route back to elite status because it can compensate for what Germany currently lacks in individual quality. The call is for honesty: no more self-deception about where German football actually stands.