PLAYER RATINGS | USA 1-3 Germany – Mats Hummels and Niclas Füllkrug shine | OneFootball

New head coach Julian Nagelsmann can take positives away from his first match at the Germany helm as Die Mannschaft ran out 3-1 winners against the United States in East Hartford, Connecticut.

A first-half wonder strike from former Borussia Dortmund wunderkind Christian Pulisic was canceled out by Barcelona midfielder İlkay Gündoğan eight minutes before the half-time interval before the European powerhouse added a further two goals through Niclas Füllkrug and Jamal Musiala 20 minutes after the restart.

It was just the result that Nagelsmann was looking for as Germany looked to build on an impressive 2-1 win over France a month ago in the immediate aftermath of a shock 4-1 defeat against Japan in Wolfsburg that was the final straw for Hansi Flick’s regime.

Though some aspects of the performance still will need to be ironed out, and have a chance to be tweaked when Germany comes to grips with Mexico in Philadelphia on Wednesday, overall, it was a considerable improvement on balance with some key hallmarks of what Nationalelf is capable of with the proper guidance and leadership.

Germany Player Ratings

GK: Marc-André ter Stegen – 6

LB: Robin Gosens – 6

LCB: Antonio Rüdiger – 7

RCB: Mats Hummels – 7 – Rolled the clock back with a strong defensive performance before being removed on 62 minutes. Completed 59/61 passes while logging the most interceptions, showing his keen ability to read match flow still exists in spades.

RB: Jonathan Tah – 6

LCM: İlkay Gündoğan (C) – 8

RCM: Pascal Groß – 7

CAM: Jamal Musiala – 7

LW: Florian Wirtz – 7 – Created the most chances in the match (3) while boasting the joint-most passes into the final third (6) despite being deployed on the left side of the front four. Could push for further involvement in that role to bolster Germany’s wealth of creativity.

RW: Leroy Sané – 6

CF: Niclas Füllkrug – 8 – A goal and an assist for the Borussia Dortmund frontman once again showed that his presence in the XI is of the utmost importance. Now with eight goals in ten caps, he continues to prove that he’s the right man to lead the line for Germany in the near future.

Others: Niklas Süle (6), Kai Havertz (6), Leon Goretzka (6), Julian Brandt (6), Thomas Müller (6), Chris Führich (6)

GGFN | Andrew Thompson