New-look Germans look to break 8-year deadlock

Perhaps the most consistent team ever to have featured in the FIFA World Cups – Germany has featured in the most number of finals i.e. eight. They are the only team which has stood on the podium (3rd place or better) every decade there was a tournament held. The four-time champions have lifted the World Cup in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. They are the only team other than Argentina, Brazil and Spain to have won the coveted trophy outside their respective continents.
Who can forget the 7-1 hammering that the hosts Brazil received during the 2014 FIFA World Cup! However, things have changed a lot since that day when the Brazilian fans had tears in their eyes. Most of the famed stars of the 2014 winning German team have retired and off late the Die Mannschaft have entered into a phase of transition.
Joachim Low’s men lost to Mexico and South Korea in the previous World Cup in Russia and made a shocking group-stage exit! They somehow managed to deal with France and Portugal in the Euro-2020 but failed to get past England in the round of 16.
Following this defeat, curtains came down to a glittering career for the 62-year-old Low that spanned for 15 years, beginning with the 2006 World Cup. However, his successor, Hansi Flick, the treble-winning Bayern Munich manager, has breathed fresh air into the national team.
Flick tasted success in his first eight matches as manager. But, prior to the World Cup, he has managed just one win from last seven matches. Another matter of concern for Germany is their nemesis Spain, whom they have managed to defeat just once in their last seven encounters. However, some of the familiar faces like Kimmich, Havertz, Gundogan, Goretzka, Gnabry and Leroy Sane and Musiala will be going out all guns blazing to give their star midfielder Thomas Muller a fitting farewell, as this is be going to be his last World Cup.
Since the 2010 World Cup, no player has played more World Cup matches than the experienced German (16), while he is also the top scorer (10) and player with the most assists (6).