France vs Germany: 5 talking points ahead of Nations League clash

#5 Germany's elite status on the line

Germany are a spent force right now

Once perennial nearly-men in international competitions, the Germany of today are struggling to beat significantly weaker sides like Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Peru. They are no longer the reckoning force they've always been and have reached the lowest ebb of this millennium. Not to mention dropping out of the top 10 world rankings for the first time in over a decade.

A string of poor performances and atrocious results has seen their elite status take a hit. So much so that they are dwelling at the bottom of Group 1 of League A of Nations League with a distinct possibility of being relegated into League B. Not that a defeat in this game would confirm it, but it would further endanger their prospects and also increase pressure on the beleaguered Loew to see drastic improvements.

The ease with which the Dutch decimated Die Mannschaft last week exposed all of the team's frailties. There are more holes present than in a piece of Swiss cheese and the damage could've been even worse, had Ronald Koeman's men been more clinical in-front of goal. Germany, despite their talented youth, have fallen off their perch. Another defeat however, would prove yet another stab at their already mutilated 'elite team' status.