Germany made it three draws in three UEFA Nations League matches on Saturday evening, drawing 1-1 against Hungary in Budapest. The hosts went in front through an early goal from Zsolt Nagy but Hansi Flick’s side equalised just three minutes later in the person of Jonas Hofmann, and that’s how it stayed until full time. Germany are now third in Group A3 with three points, two behind leaders Italy and one behind Hungary.
Five FCB players in starting XI
Manuel Neuer led the German team out as captain in his 112th international and produced some strong saves.
“We’re disappointed because we expected more of ourselves,” said captain Manuel Neuer. “We lacked purposefulness and fluidity. Hungary are awkward opponents. If you’re missing that fluidity and surprise element, then you won’t get many chances here. We’re in a development process and have to draw our lessons from this.”
With Neuer, Niklas Süle, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka (substituted 69th minute) and Jamal Musiala (substituted 78th minute), there were no fewer than five Bayern players in the German starting line-up. Thomas Müller came on in the 78th minute, but Leroy Sané (bench) and Serge Gnabry (calf problem) did not feature.
After a frantic start with Nagy’s opener for Hungary and the equaliser from Hofmann, an even contest ensued. One minute before the break, Neuer prevented his team from falling behind again with a world-class save from Attila Fiola. The Germans had more of the play in the second half but struggled to create real goalscoring opportunities. At the other end, Neuer was repeatedly on hand and ultimately the points were shared. This Tuesday Die Mannschaft host Italy in Mönchengladbach on Matchday 4 of the Nations League.
Lewandowski absent from Poland draw
Poland battled to a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Rotterdam in their Nations League encounter on Saturday. FCB striker Robert Lewandowski was not in the squad.
Austria with Marcel Sabitzer and France with Benjamin Pavard and Kingsley Coman drew 1-1 on Friday:
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