Mats Hummels said Germany's tactical approach was wrong after the World Cup holders lost the opening game of their title defence 1-0 to Mexico.
Hirving Lozano struck the only goal of the Group F clash, but Mexico wasted numerous chances on the break to record an even larger margin of victory.
Germany, meanwhile, had 26 shots without causing Guillermo Ochoa too many problems, although the Mexico goalkeeper made nine saves in keeping a memorable clean sheet.
Hummels felt Germany did not heed the warning of their final warm-up friendly against Saudi Arabia that ended in a tight 2-1 win, their only success in seven matches since the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign last year.
"It's pretty simple. We played like we did against Saudi Arabia, but against a better opponent," Hummels said to ZDF.
"We talked about a few things, such as not losing possession and protection, which unfortunately we did not put into action today.
"Mexico deserved the game because we made it too easy for them, knowing we should not have allowed that to happen.
"If seven or eight players play offensively, then it's clear that the offensive force is greater than the defensive stability. That's what I often say internally.
"Our stability is not good, you have to say - often only Jerome [Boateng] and I were at the back, so they mercilessly attacked us."
Germany will still expect to progress - they face Sweden and South Korea in their remaining matches - but Hummels told his team-mates to buck up their ideas.
"A wake-up call is too late, we now have to win two games, otherwise the World Cup is over," Hummels said. "We actually had the wake-up call against Saudi Arabia."
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos joined Hummels in demanding an improved performance when Germany take on South Korea on Wednesday in Kazan.
"I think we did not find any solutions in the first half," Kroos said.
"Mexico were clever, we did better in the second half and Mexico got tired.
"We're under pressure now, without question, we have to get six points from the two games, if possible."
