Germany vs Northern Ireland Euro Qualifiers Player Ratings

Player Ratings
Manuel Neuer GK - 8
Neuer had a very good game in goal, and he made several crucial saves that would have seen Northern Ireland either take control or level the game.

Marcel Halstenberg LB - 4
In the first half, Halstenberg was constantly out of position. It was obvious that the team needs wingers on the wings instead of left backs and right backs (imagine that!). However, he started off the second half with an absolutely fantastic volley to get Germany up 1-0. He also got forward better in the second half, but he consistently gave away possession and was weak defensively at times.

Niklas Sule CB - 7
Sule got Germany out of some sticky situations in the back with several good clearances but had his usual mistakes while in possession.

Matthias Ginter CB - 4
Ginter was very okay until he got hurt and substituted in the 39th minute. He used his body to prevent attacking chances for Norther Ireland, but he did not make any major impact for Germany.

Lukas Klostermann LB - 4
Created opportunities but didn't put away the opportunities given to him. Perhaps the only German player who knew how to play his position and had all the right ideas; however, his execution was poor at best.

Toni Kroos CM - 3
Kroos once again turned in a very poor performance. His midfield general abilities have declined astronomically at this point for the German national team, and if Low was not a completely bullheaded manager, he would have already been exploring options to replace Kroos at the 6.

Joshua Kimmich CM - 7
Kimmich won the ball back well and made several nice passes in the attacking third. However, it remains to be seen if his skills would still be better served at right back instead of stuck in the middle alongside the dreadful Toni Kroos.

Julian Brandt LM - 4
Brandt gave the ball away on a consistent basis in the first half but was able to turn out a semi-decent second half. Brandt wasted countless opportunities within the first 30 minutes, but he did make some dangerous plays afterwards.

Marco Reus CAM - 2
Reus was either wasting chances or not making an impact. The man who Low suggested would be one of his new leaders after he cut three of he squad's top players, has been in dreadful form for the national side recently. This was an embarrassing performance. I would consider changing my name if I were him.

Serge Gnabry RM - 6
Gnabry was the only attacker who seemed even slightly comfortable with Low's new freestyle formation in the attacking third. Gnabry was running around making as many plays as possible, unfortunately he also caused some chances to disappear. However, his goal in the 92nd minute after nice link up play with youngster Kai Havertz was a nice way to cap off the game.

Timo Werner ST - 4
Werner was constantly wasting chances in the first half, but by the time of his substitution, he had already been improving his performance for quite some time. Germany needs Werner to be in his Leipzig form, but the managerial tactics do not allow him to fully showcase his goalscoring ability.

Substitutes:
Johnathan Tah CB - 7
Tah redeemed himself after a ghastly performance against the Netherlands. Coming in for Ginter in the 40th, Tah played the ball cool and composed to his teammates. He also saved a goal... rather clumsily, but he saved it.

Kai Havertz CAM - 7
Havertz played well in a Germany jersey for the first time in a long time, and he impressed with several nice passes in his limited playing time. He played much better than his central attacking midfield partner Marco Reus.

Emre Can CM - 7
Can linked up with his teammates several times in his short span of playing time. He looked comfortable and confident in possession and was able to pick out the right man almost every time. Would love to see Can start in Kimmich's position and Kimmich be moved to right back.

Altogether, a win is a win. That said, whenever Germany plays Northern Ireland or teams of that caliber, it should be a 2-0 dominant performance at the minimum. Low's tactics no longer work in the modern game of football. The players he has cut (Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, among others) would have solidified perhaps the top international defense and also added another goalscorer who can play either as a 9 or a 10. In summary, Low needs to be fired. The sooner, the better. As soon as Low is gone, this team can start moving forward. The tactics are holding back the stars of Germany. For proof, stars like Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos, Timo Werner, Joshua Kimmich, and even Marco Reus who play extraordinarily well for their club teams, are competing at an average level at best on the international level. The players cannot succeed when following Low's tactics anymore.