The German media have slammed Florian Wirtz and Newcastle United star Nick Woltemade following Germany’s 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier.
Germany slumped to a miserable defeat at the National Football Stadium in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.
Both Wirtz and Woltemade made huge moves to the Premier League from the Bundesliga during the transfer window.
Liverpool verged on breaking the British transfer record by signing Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen before actually smashing it by buying former Newcastle star Alexander Isak.
Meanwhile, Newcastle broke their transfer record to sign Woltemade from Stuttgart.
The two will hope to lead Germany to World Cup success next summer after a bleak period for one of international football’s powerhouses.
However, one particularly prominent outlet in the German media was scathing about the pair.
Nick Woltemade playing for the Germany U21s.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Quickly after the game, BILD delivered their assessment.
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Julian Nagelsmann’s side became the first Germany team to lose an away game in a World Cup qualifier in 48 matches.
Indeed, the outlet was quick to group Woltemade and Wirtz together, due to the fact they have both left German football for huge money ahead of the World Cup. They used the same two words to describe the pair: “Almost invisible.”
They wrote: “Our €210 million duo of Florian Wirtz (22/moved to Liverpool for €125 million) and Nick Woltemade (23/went to Newcastle for €85 million)? Almost invisible!”
Germany’s next game comes at home to Northern Ireland on Sunday.
How Nick Woltemade played for Germany vs Slovakia
It was a poor night for Germany, so to blame Wirtz and Woltemade alone would be harsh.
However, it would be fair to say the 23-year-old Newcastle star struggled.
Slovakia vs Germany statistics Nick Woltemade
Touches 26
Shots 3
Shots on target 0
Chances created 1
Dribbles 0
Ground duels won 1/4
Aerial duels won 6/9
Nick Woltemade stats for Germany vs Slovakia, data via FotMob
As per FotMob data, he had three shots and none of them found the target. The 23-year-old also won only one ground duel and amassed only 26 touches.
It’s easy to see why the German media would be particularly emotional about Wirtz and Woltemade given how much they cost but it looked like a collective failing more than anything else.