The fear plays along. The impending World Cup knockout against Spain is a burden for Hansi Flick. The national coach has to choose the right staff. A WM rule is simply ignored.
Hansi Flick wants to prevent the impending knockout at the World Cup by all means. The national coach had demanded an “all-in mentality” from his players for the tournament in Qatar. And he lives it out himself before the duel between the national team and feared opponents Spain on Sunday (8 p.m. / ZDF and Magenta TV).
“It’s about being there and showing the best performance,” Flick called for a decisive performance boost compared to the 1-2 frustration at the World Cup opener against Japan.
The hard-hitting pronunciation after the false start in the team hotel on the northern tip of Qatar had a cleansing effect for Flick. Germany no longer world class football? Flick ironed this question, which sounded provocative but now totally justified, somewhat defiantly. “The game on Sunday will show that. Maybe then you’ll have a better answer,” said Flick. All in, that’s it.
Only alone in front of the press
For maximum success and the best possible preparation for his most difficult coaching test to date, Flick even risked an affront and, contrary to the rules set for all 32 World Cup teams, appeared alone for the media date with the assembled world press. From the DFB’s point of view, none of his 26 professionals could “be expected” to travel a good 100 kilometers through the desert to the media center in Doha, as the national coach said.
All or nothing. Flick knows the constellation. A defeat against Spain – and it could all be over on Sunday. He himself would be on the brink as national coach. A victory – and suddenly the sporting and psychological turnaround would be achieved. The Spaniards, who are tied on points, would have a more difficult task with Japan on the last day of the game than the DFB team with Costa Rica. As gloomy as the scenarios are painted in the German football sadness criticized by Manuel Neuer and Kai Havertz, everything is still possible.
“Individually, we will see a team that knows what is at stake. They are trying to do everything to keep the door to the round of 16 open,” promised Flick. He now needs eleven right ones for that. When selecting personnel, the 57-year-old was still totally covered. He hopes for more inspiration overnight, according to his witty statement. “I’ll be a bit smarter tomorrow morning,” said Flick.
Sané use unclear
One thing is certain: From a medical point of view, whether Leroy Sané can celebrate his World Cup debut after his knee injury will only be decided on the day of the game. It was clear that Joshua Kimmich would not be relegated to the position of right-back, as the loud chorus of experts had demanded here and there. Flick did not generally rule out a combination with Kimmich, Ilkay Gündogan and Leon Goretzka as a power buffer against Spanish filigree technology in midfield, but it seems unlikely. In line with his nature, Flick probably changes little in terms of personnel and tactical statics.
It’s finally against Spain. Predecessor Joachim Löw had already worked unsuccessfully on this oversized football complex for years. Brazil, Argentina, England, France, Italy. Sooner or later, all major football nations were defeated in competitive games under Löw. Just not Spain.
Furia Roja’s seven-goal whirlwind against a helpless Costa Rica on Wednesday reinforced the impression that superiority awaited renewed humiliation. As if the 0:6 exactly two years ago on the black night in Seville wasn’t still very unpleasantly present in German minds. “That’s in the past. That doesn’t interest me. Now is the future and we want to see that we defeat Spain,” said Flick after his extra time to ponder on the shuttle bus to Doha.
precarious situation
DFB director Oliver Bierhoff experiences the national coach as “calm and stable” before his most difficult test. But it is also clear. In the seven-title storm with FC Bayern Munich, the situation was never even remotely so precarious. As assistant to national coach Joachim Löw, he was not in the front row during complicated World Cup moments, such as before the last group game in 2014 against Jürgen Klinsmann’s US team (1-0).
Back then, Flick helped find the right staff. This has to succeed again against an incomparably more powerful opponent. Apart from captain Manuel Neuer, who is about to play his 18th World Cup game and is drawing level with tournament record goalkeepers Sepp Maier and Claudio Taffarel, and defender Antonio Rüdiger, practically every position is still being debated. If the all-in mentality doesn’t work, Flick also knows that the project “Back to the top of the world” entrusted to him by Bierhoff has failed in just 16 months.
The expected lineups:
Spain: 23 Simon – 20 Carvajal, 16 Rodri, 24 Laporte, 18 Alba – 5 Busquets – 26 Pedri, 9 Gavi – 11. F. Torres, 7 Morata, 21 Olmo
Germany: 1 Neuer – 5 Kehrer, 15 Süle, 2 Rüdiger, 3 Raum – 6 Kimmich, 21 Gündogan – 10 Gnabry, 13 Müller, 14 Musiala – 7 Havertz
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Source: Stern
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.
