“We have arrived in mediocrity” - Schweinsteiger criticises Germany

Bastian Schweinsteiger has delivered a critical assessment of Germany following the 1-0 defeat to Greece.

Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images.

Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Germany have fallen into “mediocrity” following their disappointing 0-1 defeat to Greece.

Speaking after the game, the former Germany international pointed to a lack of individual match-winners as one of the team's biggest problems.

"We have arrived at mediocrity as a nation," Schweinsteiger said.

According to the former Bayern Munich midfielder, Germany currently lack the type of exceptional players who can decide games when the team is struggling.

"We no longer have exceptional players who can decide the game for us in difficult situations,"  he explained.

Schweinsteiger also questioned whether Germany are getting enough out of their best players at international level. He used Karim Adeyemi as an example.

The winger was one of Germany's more dangerous players against Greece, but Schweinsteiger believes his qualities are being used more effectively at club level.

"We don't manage to use our best players in the way they dominate at club level," Schweinsteiger said.

He pointed specifically to Adeyemi's role at Barcelona, where the winger's pace is deliberately utilised to create decisive moments.

"Take Adeyemi as an example: he was good today, but at Barcelona he is currently specifically put into situations where he can use his speed to put his stamp on the game and score," Schweinsteiger explained. “That doesn't work for Germany yet.”