After a long injury break, Nico Schlotterbeck convinced straight away when he returned to Borussia Dortmund. This was also not hidden from national coach Julian Nagelsmann-he brings the BVB star back to the German national soccer team for the World Cup qualification.
Nico Schlotterbeck will “definitely be there in the World Cup qualifiers of the national team in October and deserve it. This was said by national coach Julian Nagelsmann at the premiere of a “Sky” documentary about the life of DFB sports director Rudi Völler.
“He is doing well, he has no problems. He gives an outstandingly good game structure and has a great will to win. Now we have a left foot behind again that is good for us,” Nagelsmann praised the 25-year-old.
BVB defense man Scholtterbeck had been missing because of a meniscus injury since April, but recently made two games over 90 minutes in the Bundesliga and presented himself in a strong form straight away.
Nagelsmann nominates his squad for the games against Luxembourg (October 10th/Sinsheim) on Thursday and in Belfast against Northern Ireland (October 13).
National team: “Difficult to define an axis”
Nagelsmann expects a reaction from his team to a reaction after the bad start to the World Cup qualifier with the disastrous 0: 2 in Slovakia.
“We want to get more and talk less. We had four intensive weeks and have discussed a lot. It is not super easy,” said the DFB coach, referring to the lengthy failures of key players Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen and in the past few months.
“But it doesn’t help to whine. We have to speak a little less. Now we have to keep things that we don’t talk about.” The second leg against Slovakia only increases in November on the sixth and last matchday.
Many surprises are not to be expected in his contingent, said Nagelsmann, “one or two, maybe. We have now discussed for four weeks. Players can be better integrated into stable situations. We are in a very unstable situation, so that’s not so advisable. We will replace a couple because there are a few straps.” In general, however, “the players who were there should get the chance to do better than last”.
With a view to the injured top performers, it was difficult “when we define an axis,” said the national coach. “That speaks a bit against define an axis, we have many injuries in key positions. So we have to remain variable.”
Völler himself emphasized that the DFB selection has its World Cup ticket “still in our own hands, but we have to do it better than last. Then we want to play a top World Cup.” He demanded: “It has to be difficult to beat us.”