For his first international matches as national coach, Hansi Flick relies on routine and youth power. 18 EM players belong to the first team, but also five junior European champions, including three absolute newbies. When a DFB returnees feel, Flick “great pleasure”.
At his premiere as national coach, Hansi Flick dares more Art Nouveau than expected. In addition to eight Bayern professionals who are well known to him and the prominent Dortmund returnees Marco Reus The 56-year-old brought three young newcomers to his first squad for the national soccer team.
The U-21 European champions Karim Adeyemi, 19, from FC Salzburg, Nico Schlotterbeck, 21, from SC Freiburg and David room, 23, from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are part of the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein (September 2nd) in St. Gallen, against Armenia (September 5th) in Stuttgart and against Iceland (September 8th) in Reykjavik. “They did a great job at the U21,” said Flick, praising the trio.
Flick relies on a mix of generations for a top-class comeback
Even before the first meeting of the DFB selection to restart on Sunday evening in Stuttgart, Flick gave insights into some basic tactical decisions. Joshua Kimmich, 26, will play again as a six in the central midfield in contrast to the EM. And after Joachim Löw’s unsuccessful attempt with the three-man chain at the EM, the four-man row will again be the preferred system for the defense. “That’s the plan,” said Flick on Friday the German Press Agency.
For the hoped-for quick return to the highest international competitiveness, Flick relies on a mix of young and old. “We think it’s a good, interesting squad with a good mix of experienced and young players,” said Flick.
Florian Wirtz, 18, from Bayer Leverkusen is the fourth professional in the 26-player line-up so far without an international appearance. 18 players who were still there under Flick’s predecessor Löw in the European Championship disappointment in the summer are still part of it. In addition to Toni Kroos, who resigned after the round of 16 at the European Championship finals, seven players, including the currently injured Mats Hummels, 32, and his BVB colleague Emre Can, 27, were not taken into account.
“We don’t have much time”
In addition to Reus, 32, with whom Flick feels a “great desire” for the DFB-Elf, return in Thilo Kehrer, 24, Mahmoud Dahoud, 25, and Ridle Baku, 23, returned three players to the A-team as the fifth U-21 European champion who had recently not been considered by Löw. Mario Götze, 29, and Julian Draxler, 27, are not Flick’s first staff.
A break from the DFB for the Bavarian struggling for top form Leroy Sané was out of the question for Flick. “The quality that he has in training and the attitude that he shows in training has always been top. He is also one who is in top shape,” said Flick. “For us there was no question at all that he would be there.”
“We don’t have much time,” said Flick, describing the starting position for the first international three-pack of the new season. The same applies to the countdown of the World Cup qualification with a total of seven games until the end of the year, in which the jump from third place in Group J to first place must be successful. Otherwise there is a risky playoff procedure for participation in Qatar in 2022. “I’m someone who thinks positively,” said Flick about the direct World Cup ticket as a goal.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
