Mesut Ozil came in for harsh criticism from the German media after his display in his country’s surprise defeat to England on Saturday.
Arsenal’s influential playmaker has enjoyed a superlative year for club but at international level his performances have been far more mixed.
It was much the same at the Olympiastadion, where Ozil registered yet another assist but struggled to assert his influence on proceedings.
Ozil’s display was perhaps typified when, on the hour mark, England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane performed a Cruyff turn to leave his north London rival bamboozled before he drove in a low strike to claim the first of England’s three goals.
And Bild were scathing in their criticism of the Arsenal man, assigning him the lowest rating of one star out of a possible five.
“Long time no see, again one of his inconspicuous internationals,” the German newspaper wrote about the World Cup winner.
Whilst Standard Sport’s Sam Long offered a more generous critique of Ozil’s display, giving him seven out of 10, it would be fair to say that the playmaker’s output waned throughout the contest.
