Scotland boss Steve Clarke admitted that his team let themselves down after they were humiliated 5-1 by Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024.
‘It was a difficult night. We didn’t play to our standard and Germany were excellent,’ said Clarke. ‘We’ve let ourselves down because we’re a much better team than that,’ he added.
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug gave Julian Nagelsmann’s side a four-nil lead against ten-man Scotland after Ryan Porteous was sent off just before half-time for a nasty lunge on Ilkay Gundogan.
Scotland pulled one back late on through an Antonio Rudiger own goal but Emre Can restored Germany’s four-goal advantage in injury time to give the hosts their biggest-ever win in European Championship history.
And Clarke insisted that it was a case of ‘damage limitation’ after Porteous was sent off for a shocking challenge which resulted in a penalty for Germany, with the score at 2-0.
Steve Clarke believes Scotland ‘let themselves down’ after they were thrashed 5-1 by Germany
Andy Robertson lamented Scotland’s lack of aggression but lauded their second-half effort
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‘The game ran away from us very quickly. Ultimately it was a difficult night. After the sending off, it was about damage limitation,’ he said. ‘But we have to move on quickly. ‘We need four points from the next two games and that’s what we focus on,’ Clarke added.
His side take on Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday before finishing their group stage against Hungary in Stuttgart next Sunday, knowing that the four best third-placed teams out of the six groups will qualify for the round-of-16.
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson admitted that the thrashing was a wake-up call for him and his teammates, with Germany recording the biggest ever win in an opening game of a European Championship.
‘There was lots wrong and it’s a quick turnaround now,’ said Robertson. ‘Maybe it’s a reminder of how tough this tournament is. First half, we just got it all wrong really. We didn’t show up, we weren’t aggressive enough and we let good players get on the ball. Second half, we were down to 10 men and I thought the lads dug in really well,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann was shocked at Scotland’s lack of aggression.
‘I was kind of surprised that Scotland weren’t that aggressive in the first 20 minutes,’ he said.
‘Scotland were kind of surprised, afraid, they felt we had a lot of offensive players who could score goals, they defended a bit deeper, did not make high pressure like they did in the qualifying games. The first 20 minutes were the key for the game.
‘We were dominant in the first 20 minutes and scored two goals. We were very focused throughout and didn’t allow them chances till the end. The anger (when we conceded) shows the hunger we have. It wasn’t only the first step but a very good one, which we can build on and that’s why we’re very happy.’
Julian Nagelsmann felt that Scotland were ‘scared’ and was ‘surprised’ by their lack of aggression to start with
Jamal Musiala took the win as a ‘good sign’ but insisted Germany will remain grounded and take the tournament ‘step by step’
And Player of the Match Jamal Musiala said ‘it was the best feeling ever’ after he played a starring role with a goal and an assist before he was applauded off.
’To win that comfortably was a good sign for us and for me personally, I was quite happy. But we won’t let it get to our heads too much and we’ll take it step by step,’ Musiala said.
Germany’s next game is against Hungary in Stuttgart on Wednesday and a win would all but secure qualification for the round-of-16.
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