World Cup 2018: 5 Reasons Why Germany Won't Defend Their Title

#4 Off-field issues

Özil's and Gündogan's meeting with Turkish President Erdogan is subject to a lot of criticism

A point that is very unusual for Germany to deal with in the build-up to a big tournament. The players selected to represent Die Mannschaft are generally supported not only by the public but also by their national media.

However, Mesut Özil's and Ilkay Gündogan's meeting with Turkish President Erdogan has sparked a controversy that could have a negative impact on the team. The German fans even went as far as booing Gündogan in their last friendly against Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, the surprise omission of Leroy Sane from the World Cup squad has caused a major stir, not just in Germany but across the globe. Should Germany struggle to get an attacking flow going, Löw could be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The way the team is currently dealing with the issues shows how little Germany have had to deal with such problems prior to a World Cup in the past. Many players and coaches of the team are asked about their stance on the topic, with seemingly everything they say being turned against them.

It will be interesting to see, whether the reigning champions will be able to put this behind them and demonstrate their unique team spirit in Russia. After all, Germany's greatest strength has always been their ability to stand united - on and off the field.