Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner impressed as Germany secured a thumping 6-0 win over Armenia on Sunday evening.
Hansi Flick’s first home game in charge of Germany saw them thrash Armenia 6-0 at the Mercedes Benz Arena at Stuttgart this weekend. It was a dominating display from the home side, who moved on top of Group J in World Cup qualifiers.
Germany were the better side right from the beginning with Serge Gnabry opening the scoring in the sixth minute. The sheer ease with which Die Mannschaft were creating chances suggested it was going to be a long night for the Armenians, especially after they conceded the second goal from Gnabry in the 15th minute.
The German continued to propel forward, looking to seal the result within the first half. A 35th-minute strike from Marco Reus and a late first-half goal from Timo Werner certainly helped in that regard, with the hosts heading into half-time with a 4-0 lead.
It was no different in the second half as Flick’s men piled on the pressure, with an early goal from Jonas Hofmann causing further damage to the Armenian hearts. Fortunately for the visitors, the Germans wouldn’t find their sixth goal until the first minute of added time when two substitutes Florian Wirtz and Karim Adeyemi combined to put the final gloss in the scoreline.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will rate the German players in their thumping 6-0 win over Armenia this weekend.
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
Manuel Neuer was honoured by DFB in front of the fans for surpassing the 100 match mark for the national team (it was his 104th appearance). As for the performance, the goalkeeper had an easy night out as Armenia could only muster one shot on target in the entire game.
Jonas Hofmann: 8/10
Flick’s decision to Jonas Hofmann at right-back raised many eyebrows before the game. But as it turns out, it was an ingenious move that saw the Gladbach star caused all sorts of problems with his marauding runs forward as well as his ability to pass in between the lines or get to the byline, if required. A splendid display that was capped off with a stunning goal from outside the box.
WHAT A STRIKE BY HOFMANN ?
It's his first career international goal ? pic.twitter.com/qI3sYDcwKY
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 5, 2021
Niklas Sule: 7/10
Niklas Sule had a good game at the heart of the Germany backline. His imposing presence made it difficult for the opposition attackers to make any noise in the defensive third, as the Bayern Munich defender continues his good run of form.
Antonio Rudiger: 7/10
Antonio Rudiger’s return to the German defence added some much-needed experience alongside Sule. He marshalled the backline well, preventing the attackers from making any leeway into the defensive third, with the Chelsea star seemingly emerging as the most reliable German defender at the moment.
Thilo Kehrer: 7/10
Thilo Kehrer’s inclusion at left-back was another questionable move by Flick. But this one worked out well too, with the Paris Saint-Germain defender being instructed to operate in a deeper role, in the wake of Hofmann’s inclusion at right-back. He stuck to his job and was a danger from set-pieces.
Joshua Kimmich: 7.5/10
Joshua Kimmich orchestrated the midfield well, using his experience to help Germany dominate the game throughout the sixty minutes he played. He was always aware with his passes and barely gave up possession. But more importantly, the Bayern Munich star offered creativity through his balls over the top or deliveries from corners.
Kimmich – Goretzka is by far the best midfeld duo for Germany
— LeoulPrince? (@LeoulPrince7) September 5, 2021
Leon Goretzka: 8.5/10
Leon Goretzka outshone Kimmich in central midfield which is a good sign for Germany and Bayern. The former Schalke prodigy was willing to drive up forward, use his box to box abilities to good effect. His presence in the team provided the German side with the extra oomph going forward, with the midfielder notably registering two assists.
Serge Gnabry: 9/10
Serge Gnabry was the undisputed man of the match in this encounter. The Bayern winger caused chaos on the flanks, with his dribbling, link-up play and sheer speed. He was also extremely lethal in front of goal, resulting in the sheer calamity in the Armenian backline, who had no answer to stop the former Arsenal prodigy. Gnabry ended the game with two goals, being the single-most menacing figure in the attack.
Marco Reus: 8/10
Marco Reus’ inclusion in the starting eleven was a pleasing sight for the German fans, with the Borussia Dortmund captain even spearheading the attack due to his experience. He was deployed in his favoured number ten role, ahead of Kai Havertz. The move worked out well for Flick as the 32-year-old made excellent movements in the final third while his link-up play was top-notch. Capped off a fine display with a 35th-minute strike.
Marco Reus has scored his first goal for Germany since November 2019 against Estonia.
Back in the team and back in the goals. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JRSkzJO99k
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 5, 2021
Leroy Sane: 7.5/10
Leroy Sane looked in much better shape than he did recently. He wasn’t the best attacker for Die Mannschaft this weekend, but the Bayern Munich attacker certainly caused chaos with his silky movement and quick feet. It will certainly do him good heading into the Iceland encounter.
Timo Werner: 8.5/10
Our Player to Watch heading into this game, Timo Werner stole the show with an excellent display in the final third. He put in a great shift, linking up with teammates and supporting them using his technical prowess and ability to get into good positions. He notably registered a beautiful assist for Reus’ goal before scoring one himself late in half-time.
SUBSTITUTES
Florian Wirtz: 7.5/10
Florian Wirtz made an instant impact after replacing Reus around the hour mark. He looked inspired, and dribbled past players at ease, notably assisting Werner for a goal that was ruled out due to offside. But he later got his assist late in the game, when Adeyemi found the back of the net.
Flick Ball, Adeyemi‘s goal was a beauty between him and Wirtz ? #GERARM pic.twitter.com/c7ZSZu1eph
— Patric (@Simplblue88) September 5, 2021
Jamal Musiala: 7/10
Jamal Musiala showed his skill with on the ball after coming on around the hour-mark. He was a livewire in the final third, during the final phase of the game.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6.5/10
Ilkay Gundogan was brought in to add some fresh legs and energy in the German midfield. The move worked out well for Flick and his men.
Karim Adeyemi: 7/10
Karim Adeyemi came on late in the game and showcased his finishing prowess with a late goal. Certainly deserves a chance to compete with Werner for the vacant number nine role.
David Raum: N/A
A late replacement for Kehrer. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
