Florian Wirtz was perhaps the best of a poor attacking bunch as Germany played Ivory Coast at the World Cup, with Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane coming under fire in the media
10:19, 21 Jun 2026
Florian Wirtz during Germany vs Ivory Coast at the World Cup.
Florian Wirtz during Germany vs Ivory Coast at the World Cup.(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Denis Undav was the Germany savior against Ivory Coast, with Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane toiling, and Florian Wirtz lacking significant output in the final third.
And the German media were all in agreement that Stuttgart man Undav needs to start from now on, with Kai Havertz also limited in his impact as a number nine. Ivory Coast, with Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo out wide, looked more threatening, even though Julian Nagelsmann's side had most of the ball.
In terms of Wirtz in particular, the Liverpool man was stationed on the left-hand side. Drifting inside, he was in possession a lot, but often needed to get his shot away more quickly.
BuliNews gave Wirtz just 5/10 for his performance, while Goal went with 6/10 — Sane only got three, and Musiala four.
"(Wirtz) looked like the attacking midfield most likely to make something happen for Germany in the first half," Goal said. "He did well to create some space for himself with some fancy footwork only to shoot weakly at goal. As a result, he survived Nagelsmann's second-half cull, but Wirtz is still lacking an end product."
Rather than criticizing Germany per se, T-Online focused on the defensive set-up from Ivory Coast, which frustrated key duo Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, who were denied space.
Yan Diomande and Florian Wirtz during Ivory Coast vs Germany at the World Cup.
Yan Diomande and Florian Wirtz during Ivory Coast vs Germany at the World Cup.(Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
"Against Ecuador five days earlier, Ivory Coast played a classic 4-2-4 pressing game, in which the four front players in particular shifted very well in order to slow down the build-up play as early as the opponent's penalty area.
"Against Germany, however, Fae's focus was more on midfield compactness. The trio of captain Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, and youngster Christ Inao Oulai formed a tight block, allowing Germany virtually no easy passes to Musiala and Wirtz.
"Whenever the ball reached one of the two German playmakers, they were immediately surrounded by several opponents. Consequently, there were few clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half."
Coming off the bench, Undav and Nadiem Amiri both impressed. Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund was also very good in midfield.
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Munich-based outlet Abendzeitung Munchen gave Wirtz a three in its player ratings, but they go from one to five, with one being the best. Musiala got a four, while Nmecha scored best of the starters with a two.
"Wirtz gad a good opportunity after a pass from Musiala, but his shot was blocked for a corner," it said.
"After a nice feint in the penalty area, he couldn't get enough power behind the ball. Somewhat unlucky in the second half, but he repeatedly spurred the team on."
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Liverpool.com says: Wirtz didn't have wide players to create space for him at Anfield last season and he had a similar issue here. With some pace on either side of him, you would back him to thread a perfect through-ball. Without it, it was all on him to do everything.