With two wins from two games, the DFB women have already made it clear the quarter-finals of the European Championship European Championship. With Sweden, the most difficult task so far – and the defense that was the problem child before the tournament is focused on.
Emma Snerle didn’t really know how she happened. Elisa Seneß just didn’t let up and when she couldn’t chase away the ball to her Danish opponent, she pushed her over at the end. Snerle got up and found it surprised that Sense was standing right in front of her and the outstretched hand stretched out. The Danish hesitated and then hit. When she was able to do the due free kick, the German back team had long since formed.
Hardly any other German player embodies the components and will be as much as the 1.61-meter woman. The German virtues used to have been spoken. “At some point in the game you have to grab.explains Sense. “Precisely because some underestimate me.”
With DFB President Neuendorf in line
But even if there are two victories from two games, satisfaction with the previous appearances is limited. So there are also some question marks with a view to the further tournament. On Saturday (9 p.m., in the live ticker at Sportschau.de) there is a duel for first place in Group C with Sweden. England or France should then wait in the quarter -finals.
We shouldn’t be euphoric now. We all see that there is still potential. The teams we’ll play against are really difficult. We have to see an increase.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf Höchstlbst warned an increase in the team on Wednesday. Sense faces the criticism and accepts it: “We are very self -critical and know that we can do more. We want to work on our fit.”
At the same time, it was important to take advantage of the opportunities at the front – and “Stable to continue at the back”. Three times to zero in the recent four competitive games, showed that the team could.
So far, Germany has only admitted two major chances
The defense was long considered the Achilles’ heel of the German team – and the defensive in the previous EM games did not make a saddle -resistant impression.
But the data of “Createfootball” speak a different language. In the games against Poland (2-0) and against Denmark (2: 1), the DFB women have only allowed just two big chances in total. The statisticians both counted in the game against the Poles. Once goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved, once Poland shot past the goal.
Data: Ann-Katrin Berger so far one of the Top goalkeeper
The possibility of which the Danish lead goal was not falled into this category. And the German defense looked just as unhappy as Berger, who let the ball pass from an acute angle in the short corner.
With five parades, the 34-year-old has been one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament. Only three keepers were able to distinguish themselves more often. Above all, the Norwegian Cecilie Fiskerstrand, who already brings it to eleven parades. According to the data, Fiskerstrand is still ahead of Berger (83 percent) with the quota of the balls held (85 percent). The number one is Jennifer Falk, the Schwedin has not yet been the only goal.
1. Cecilie Fiskerstrand 11 (2 goals/Norway)
2. Lisa Lichtfus 9 (7/Belgium)
3. Kinga Szemik 8 (5/Poland)
4. Ann-Katrin Berger 5 (1/Germany)
Even the first in the ranking is Berger in the clarification actions outside the penalty area (3). In addition, she had the most ball campaigns of all goalkeepers, which impressively underlines her strengths on the ball.
Knaak: Wücks Berger statements to understand with “wink”
However, three of these actions had recently led to great discussions. The dribbling at their own penalty area may have been high -quality, but they were at least risky. National coach Christian Wück had even announced a conversation with Berger, who would have to take more consideration of his nerves in the future.
If some players on the offensive prove the same courage to take a risk like Ann-Katrin Berger, then we might see more chances.
Defense lawyer Rebecca Knaak warned on Thursday that it warned the topic too much. The statements made are with a “Winking” to be understood. And anyway: the team feels very safe with Berger behind them.
Sportschau expert Almuth Schult also made a clear position for Berger: “For me, this testifies to me with great self-confidence, which Ann-Katrin Berger does. And that is also good because it is transferred to the team. You can play them in every situation and she starts something with the ball.” You have a clear opinion: “As long as it works, you just have to agree with the player.”
Sweden expert Knaak optimistic before group finals
With the Swedes, Germany meets the strongest opponent in the final group game. “We noticed that Sweden is in a good shape. But the preparation and our game do not change”said central defender Knaak, who has been playing at Manchester City since 2024, but celebrated two championships in the three years earlier at the Swedish Top Club FC Rosengard.
“Our basics, our pressing and defensive behavior should be 100 percent in all games”warned Knaak. “This is our claim and of course we will try again against Sweden. If we can call it up, it should work against every opponent.”