KEIR RADNEDGE in MUNICH: If Germany had played at the World Cup as they played the second half of their Nations League opener against France in front of a loyal, capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena the tales from old Russia might have been rather different.

The 2014 and 2018 World Cup winners drew 0-0 but Germany made a positive and gutsy start to the reconstruction of self-esteem against their successors who were saved from defeat only by the debutant goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, standing in brilliantly for injured captain Hugo Lloris.

Prize guy: Toni Kroos receives his Footballer of the Year trophy from DFB president Reinhard Grindel and Kicker director Rainer Holzschuh

France coach Didier Deschamps lined up his starters from the triumphant 4-2 victory over Croatia in the Moscow showdown in July; opposite number Joachim Low started seven of the men whose 2-0 group defeat by South Korea condemned Germany to their first opening round exit since 1938.

Oddly this was the first time in his 12 years in charge of Die Mannschaft that Low had picked a team to play reigning world champions.

Both teams made  a tentative start before Les Bleus began to slip through the low gears after around 15 minutes.

Germany responded by forcing a clutch of corners, most of which were swished across from the right by newly-acknowledged Footballer of the Year Toni Kroos. They caused some flurries of concern, too. In the 34th minute leftback Antonio Rudiger mistimed his dash into the box and the ball bounced off Mats Hummels and over the bar.

France duly raised their own game with Ngolo Kante buzzing across midfield and Kylian Mbappe eye-catchingly quick and clever.

Fine saves

Shortly before half-time the Paris Saint-Germain teenager had a free kick saved under the bar by Manuel Neuer who had already been pushed to a sharp diving save by Olivier Giroud.

A goal appeared ever more likely in the second half as the rain blew down and the tackles began to fly in. Griezmann had a low drive pushed out at one end by Neuer then Germany raced off on the counter-attack for Marco Reus to force an ever better save from Areola.

The 25-year-0ld may be No2 to Gigi Buffon at Paris Saint-Germain but he will not stay long on the basis of his France debut. As Germany suddenly found rythm and direction he made further superb saves from Matthias Ginter and Thomas Muller to keep the World Cup-holders in the game.

Germany’s attacking effort benefited in particular from the arrival of Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan as attacking midfield replacement for the disappointing Leon Goretzka.

Gundogan received a mixed reception from the 67,485 crowd, some of whom clearly still resented his participation in the infamous pre-World Cup photo alongside Mesut Ozil and Turkish President Recep Erdogan. However even they soon appeared to warm to his aggressive attacking efforts.

Low even threw on a wild card in controversial Leroy Sane in place of the fading Reus but ultimately in vain. France escaped with a draw on their first outing since winning the World Cup but Germany were the more deserving of victory.

The teams

Germany: Neuer – Ginter, Boateng, Hummels, Rudiger – Gorezka (Gundogan 66), Kimmich, Kroos – Muller, T Werner, Reus (Sane 83). Coach: Low.

France: Areola – Pavard, Varane, Umititi, Hernandez – Pogba, Kante – Mbappe, Griezmann (Fekir 80), Matuidi (Tolisso 86) – Giroud (Dembele 66). Coach: Deschamps.

Referee: D Orsato (Italy).

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