The European Championship quarter-finals against France will demand a lot from the DFB women-especially in terms of speed. According to Giulia Gwinn, national coach Christian Wück also has to replace Carlotta Wamser. That could be the chance for Sophia Kleinhernen.
Germany has played three games at this European Championship so far. Kleinherne was not on the pitch for a minute. This situation is not always easy for the head. “Of course you wish for time. It is no secret that I have certain demands – and they grow with my experiences”the 25-year-old explained in the Sportschau interview on Tuesday. “I don’t always want to be in the second row.”
Kleinherne has already completed 153 Bundesliga games for Eintracht Frankfurt, plus 34 international operations. However, she did not surprise that it has not been used in Switzerland to date: “Especially in such a tournament, the roles are communicated quite clearly.”
After the big defense problems in the game against Sweden (1: 4), the situation should have changed fundamentally. And especially after the failure of Wamser, which was blocked for a game according to her red card, it only seems logical that Kleinhererne now slips into the starting eleven for the quarter -finals on Saturday (9 p.m., live in the ticker and in the AudioStream on Sportschau.de).
DFB coach Wück cannot be looked into the cards
Wück did not look at the cards at the press conference on Friday. At one moment he praised the chain of three that his team had played out against Sweden in the second half. In the next, however, he said again that it could be that there is no change at all. In any case, he doesn’t want to throw everything over the pile.
The fact that Kathy Hendrich will move into the defense chain is considered a decided thing. The 33-year-old knew how to convince after her substitution in the third group game. Instead of Rebecca Knaak, who could not keep up against the fast Swedes, she could move into the central defense.
Kleinherne is actually also intended for central defense, because Wamser has already failed in front of Wamser Giulia Gwinn, there is now a gap on the right side. And Kleinherne has already played many games as a right -back in her career.
Get out of the “comfort zone” – also at club level
Born in Münsterländer, the shoes for VfL Wolfsburg put together after the European Championship. “The call for change was there”she had explained in conversation with the sports show before the European Championship.
After eight years at Eintracht, she was “Completely in my comfort zone” been. “I wanted to postpone my demands and limits.” Then the offer came from the Champions League participant.
Wück has so far hardly rely on small thirst
A step on the career ladder upwards – however, she lacked a strong left foot for a regular place in the national team. She was used five times in the first ten games under Wück, only in the two Nation’s League games against Scotland she was allowed to go from the start. The national coach decided in front of the European Championship for Knaak, which has a decisive advantage for the post next to the placed Janina Minge.
So far, Sophia Kleinhernen has not been allowed to cover the jersey at the European Championship.
Now, however, Knaak’s lack of pace could have turned out to be too much disadvantage. The game of French women should become even faster than that of the Swedes. Which is why theoretically, left -back Sarai Linder would also have to worry about her place.
Franziska Kett could also start on the left – just like Kleinherne still without an EM use. However, the Munich native played three A international matches and with Delphine Cascarino she would immediately meet one of the best players in the tournament.
Team player through and through
Kleinherne has so far fully assumed her role as a supplementary player: “You have to be there for the team and take care of the cohesion. I know how important it is.”
So she also took care of the new ones in the European Championship squad. She is still part of it herself “Team Jung”with her experience, however, she could “A contact person” and “A link” be. And in general: Especially after the Sweden game, the team spirit is “More important than ever” been.
Kleinherne: “You also have to be permanent ready”
However, this does not mean that Kleinherne in the team quarters in Zurich would have said goodbye to their demands. “They don’t change when I don’t play”said the 25-year-old. She gives everything in every training session to show the trainer – but also to contribute her part to the success of the team.
She knows: “I have to be permanent ready to use it for a moment if I should get it.” And that is exactly the moment that could have come against France.