🚨 So bitter to bow out like this: Germany star has played last tournament

🚨 So bitter to bow out like this: Germany star has played last tournament Manuel Neuer had still made it into the German squad shortly before the World Cup and was supposed to help lead the team to the title. In the end, however, it was a disappointing campaign and also a disappointing finale to his international career. Asked by 'Magenta TV' afterward whether this had been his last tournament or whether he still had the strength to help with another rebuild, he said: "No, it’s extremely bitter to go out like this. We had everything in our own hands and I believe we had the right players there to do better on the pitch, but as a team we didn’t manage to show better football today." He described the mood in the dressing room as follows: "The coach said a few words to us, but otherwise it is very quiet. Everyone is sad about the elimination." 📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors In footballing terms, however, Germany were unable to break down Paraguay’s defense: "We didn’t have the tools or the cutting edge to create chances for ourselves. Our plan was to get in behind the line through the wide players. We also wanted, similar to Kai Havertz’s goal, to break through Paraguay’s backpedaling defense with quick balls." Does that mean Germany are now only second-rate by international standards? "If you want to measure yourself against teams like France or England, then maybe that’s one category below." He did not want to fully agree with teammate Kai Havertz, who saw Germany as only average: "Those are his words," but Neuer also said: "What is clear is that you have to beat an opponent like that (Paraguay, editor’s note)." This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.