Germany are mired in self-doubt and lacking confidence ahead of their seismic Euro 2020 showdown with old foes England.
Joachim Low's side scraped into the last 16 with a 2-2 draw against Hungary, an 84th-minute equaliser from sub Leon Goretzka sparing them a humiliating group stage exit.
Against that backdrop, the Germans, usually so formidable and well-drilled at major tournaments, are surprisingly vulnerable, giving England hope of a rare and historic knockout win.
Although Germany beat Portugal 4-2, they were pedestrian in their 1-0 opening group game defeat to France and similarly lacking in conviction and purpose against Hungary.
Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich admitted Germany have plenty to work on before Tuesday's showdown at Wembley, if they are to have any chance of progressing.
“We didn't press Hungary very well, so there are a lot of things we need to improve,” said Kimmich.
“We had difficulties creating opportunities, we didn't manage to get behind the defensive line and weren't positioned very well when losing the ball.
“We gave Hungary too many free spaces, the same mistakes we made against France and Portugal.
“Hungary played exactly how we expected, we just did a bad job off the ball. This is not what we want to show, especially off the ball, but also in possession.
“We didn't have good ideas, we didn't focus enough to win back the ball quickly, to force the opposition to make mistakes.
“We weren't well-positioned or well-structured, we didn't manage to do that at all, so that made it difficult for us and we couldn't be a real threat.
“But it's going to be a totally different match against England, a totally different opponent who will play in a totally different system.
“There are worse games to play than England at Wembley, so I'm really up for it.”
German efficiency has given way to sloppiness at the back at Euro 2020, with Low's side having conceded five goals in three games, a stat that will give England huge encouragement.
Kimmich, deployed as a right wing-back in the 3-4-3 system favoured by Low, admitted Germany must get their act together defensively or they risk going out against Gareth Southgate's side.
“We have to analyse our defensive work from this game, because this is going to be important for the rest of the tournament, to keep a clean sheet,” said Kimmich.
“We shouldn't concede goals this cheaply, but in the end we showed good morale and a good spirit to make the next round.
“After the first match against France there were mixed emotions. We were okay, just not effective enough. In the second match we showed the quality and character we have.
“In the final group game, that good feeling and momentum stopped a little bit, and we could and should have been more dominant.
“So we've been up and down, which has been the case lately. But I'm convinced we can play better, show a better performance in the next match and even beyond the match against England.”
