Mats Hummels hits out at Joachim Low tactics as Germany are stunned in World Cup 2018 opener

Germany defender Mats Hummels criticised coach Joachim Low’s tactics after their surprise defeat by Mexico.

Hummels believes Low’s emphasis on attack is leaving him and fellow central defender Jerome Boateng with little protection at the back.

Mexico forward Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the game from one of several counter-attacks, meaning the reigning world champions could be knocked out if they lose to Sweden in Sochi on Saturday.

“If seven or eight players attack, then it’s clear the offensive force is greater than the defensive stability,” said Hummels to German broadcaster ZDF.

“That’s what I often talk about internally, to no effect. Our defensive cover isn’t very good, we have to admit. Too often it was just Jerome and I at the back. That’s why they ruthlessly exposed us on the break.”

This was the first time Germany had lost their opening game of a World Cup since reunification in 1990. Usually, they do not just win the first game, they race out of the blocks. In all but one of their last eight tournament openers, they had scored within the first half an hour.

There was little of that incisiveness on display at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, as they barely created an opportunity in the first half. Sami Khedira’s lack of pace in central midfield hindered his team’s attacking potential while also helping Mexico’s chances on the break.

Mexico’s winner came from a Khedira error and emphasised the problems Hummels highlighted and must be addressed before their next match.

Khedira was caught in possession just 10 yards away from the Mexico penalty area. Within 15 seconds, the ball was in the German net after West Ham’s Javier Hernandez had slipped away from Hummels to set up Lozano for the winning goal.

With Germany pushing full-backs Joshua Kimmich and Marvin Plattenhardt high up the pitch each time they had possession, their opponents had space to exploit. On other occasions, the Germans managed to cope thanks to Hummels and Boateng’s know-how and Mexico’s inability to pick the right option.