Hansi Flick first trusts his nine-point starters. Seasoned Hummels is again missing from the squad, which initially only made two prominent returnees. The injured Robin Gosens is “longer out”.
When asked about a bitter déjà vu for Mats Hummels, Hansi Flick reacted vigorously. “No!”, Answered the national coach when announcing his 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Romania and North Macedonia, loud and clear when asked whether the renewed renunciation of the Dortmund defense veteran might be a signal for his next retirement the German national team could be interpreted.
Looking towards the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Flick continues to see a clear perspective for 32-year-old Hummels. “I’ve known Mats for a very long time. I know what he can give a team. He’s very experienced. He’s one of the best in building up the game in recent years. If he’s in top shape, he’s a win for every team,” said the national coach on Friday the German Press Agency. A nomination was currently not mandatory for Flick, especially since he saw little reason for changes after the successful nine-point start in September.
Hummels should work on his fitness
Flick spoke to Hummels in advance, who had already been struggling with knee problems at the European Championships and for a long time afterwards. The central defender at BVB could not deny a proper season preparation. “We have agreed that October is again very suitable, that he is working on his fitness, that he is really at 100 percent. He is now focusing on himself and using the time to train,” said Flick. In November there is the last chance for a Hummels return this year.
The topic is sensitive after Flick’s predecessor Joachim Löw retired the 2014 world champion together with his Rio colleagues Thomas Müller and Jérôme Boateng as national players in 2019. At the European Championship, Löw managed to make a double comeback for Hummels and Bayern professional Müller (32), whom Flick nominated again.
Flick’s Hummels decision fits in with the understandable course that the 56-year-old has taken with the DFB team. It rewards performance and gives players confidence. In the defense center, like in the 6-0 win against Armenia and the 4-0 win against Iceland, he first relies on Munich’s Niklas Süle and Champions League winner Antonio Rüdiger from Chelsea. Flick attests that his former Bayern protégé, Süle, has developed positively: “He has set himself big goals – and that’s exactly what he’s doing now. I like that. It’s important that, as a national player, I always get the best out of myself.”
Marc-André ter Stegen and Matthias Ginter return
Flick wasn’t interested in saving Hummels a seat at the bank: “Everyone knows that there is great competition in the national team. I also believe that Mats Hummels would have no problem with sitting on the bench like everyone else Player too. ” The competition is a “basic requirement” in professional football.
Flick is aiming for the next step towards the World Cup finals with a strong Bayern block of eight players. In addition to BVB captain Marco Reus, youngsters such as Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Karim Adeyemi and David Raum are also back. “We were very happy with the squad and have made few changes because of that,” said Flick.
In addition to the last injured goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Gladbacher Matthias Ginter, who has recovered from Corona, is also returning. The Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and the Wolfsburg Ridle Baku were not reappointed. In addition to Ilkay Gündogan and Mahmoud Dahoud, full-back Robin Gosens from Atalanta Bergamo is also “longer out” with a muscle injury, as Flick reported. That’s why he added the versatile Ginter in the defensive area.
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.
