Eight country matches, eight wins, 33:2 goals. Since Hansi Flick took over the scepter of the German national soccer coach from Joachim Löw, who had announced his resignation after the EURO round of 16 in June 2021 against England (0: 2), things have been going like clockwork. Today (8.45 p.m., ARD) the brilliant record of the 57-year-old, who won the so-called sextuple of championship, DFB Cup, Champions League, national Supercup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with FC Bayern in 2020/21, could get its first scratches. The prestigious test country match in Amsterdam promises not only a “cauldron” but also a very strong opponent with the Netherlands.
Caravan and tulip jokes are not trendy, and the German fan chant “We’re going to the World Cup without Holland” is also muted. The “Oranjes” caught themselves under bond coach Louis van Gaal and bought a ticket for Qatar 2022. The Germans are also involved in the final round in the desert state (November 21 to December 18).
DFB honorary captain Philipp Lahm has very little to do with the “location”. “The World Cup should never have been awarded to Qatar. If you look at the FIFA evaluation report, they advised against it, partly because of the human rights situation and sustainability. Of course you wonder why Qatar was voted for anyway. I think so funny,” said the former world champion.
Nevertheless, all 32 participants – 20 (most recently Canada) have qualified so far – will prepare conscientiously for the tournament. Flick starts today with Manuel Neuer in goal, his Bayern colleague Joshua Kimmich is not available because girlfriend Lina is expecting their third child together. “The birth is much more important than the match,” emphasized Flick before the 47th showdown with the Netherlands, who are at a disadvantage in the overall record with 13:17 wins, but won the most recent duel in the EM qualifier in 2019 – final score 4: 2. It could rain goals today too.
Source: Nachrichten
