Toni Kroos has warned that Germany "are not as good as some players think we are" following the 1-0 defeat to Brazil in Berlin on Tuesday.
Brazil took a measure of revenge for their 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinals as they ended the Germans' 22-match unbeaten run.
The visitors were in control for large parts of the match and secured their win through a Gabriel Jesus header after 37 minutes.
Speaking to ZDF TV, Kroos was critical of the World Cup holders' performance.
"The negative aspects today outweigh the positive," he said. "It was just not enough.
"We are not as good as people try to tell us, and maybe even as some of our players think we are."
Germany rested key players such as Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels and Sami Khedira but fielded a strong side that included Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan.
Manchester City midfielder Gundogan said: "There were some good things, but more bad things.
"We must be self-critical. Today, we saw that there are still many things to improve. And, thank God, we can say it was only a friendly."