Friendlies before the WC are just that. Friendlies. In 98, the USA romped through the last few games before the WC, including spanking Austria 3-0 in Vienna. WC 98 starts, the USA manages 1 goal vs Iran. Lost 2-0 to Germany, 2-1 to Iran, 1-0 to Yugoslavia.
Germany has a few players coming back from injury (Janker didn't start), plus they're probably scared of getting injured so they're not going full speed. Hell, England lost two more players over the weekend, and we lost our starting d-mid in a friendly against Uruguay (in a non contact incident too.)
I wouldn't read too much into this friendly. Now if they come out and play without passion against Austria as well, then yeah, I'll start to agree that the Germans have lost their heart.