‘Led by example’ – What German media said about Florian Wirtz in captaining his country on Sunday

German media generally praised Florian Wirtz for his leadership and effort when he captained Germany in their 0-0 draw against Greece in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday. Wirtz, who had been set to play only in the final two matches of the international window before injuries, made his first appearance as team captain. Despite a solid debut, German media consensus was that his performance waned as the match progressed, resulting in a middle-of-the-road 1-6 player rating.

While some, like Focus, acknowledged his agility and defensive play, others noted inconsistencies and a drop-off in influence after the interval. Wirtz's attacking contributions were noteworthy, but the overall assessment from German media was a mixed one.