Munich (dpa) – After the European champions, the German national soccer team will have to deal with the second place in the European Championship this Tuesday (8.45 p.m. / ZDF).
The English team is a “tough one,” said national coach Hansi Flick. He wants to see his team improve on the 1-1 draw against Italy last Saturday. Both teams will give a signal before kick-off.
The DFB selection: Flick announced a change in the starting lineup after the sobering draw in Bologna. However, the national coach did not reveal who had to go to the bench. The wing offensives Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry are considered candidates for a break, in midfield Leon Goretzka could be replaced by Ilkay Gündogan. In any case, there will be many Bayern players on the pitch again – against Italy there were seven at the beginning.
The opponent: Gündogan spoke with great respect of the Three Lions, who could also “field three national teams”. England manager Gareth Southgate, who can rely on the offensive led by star player Harry Kane, also gave compliments. Germany and Brazil continue to be “the benchmark” when it comes to winning tournaments.
The stats: Southgate was there when the German team lost 5-1 to England in September 2001 at the Munich Olympic Stadium, albeit only on the bench. Everyone is talking about it now, said the Brit, but he reminded that the DFB selection had reached the final of the finals in Japan and South Korea less than a year after the World Cup qualifier. Overall, it is the 38th meeting between the two nations – from the point of view of the DFB selection, the balance is negative with 13:17 victories.
The gesture: The English kneeling as a protest against racism caused a stir again at the weekend. In Budapest, numerous spectators were negatively noticed with boos. The German team will join the gesture of the English on Tuesday. “We’ll get on our knees again with the English, because of course we want to support the English action, because it’s a very good thing,” said Gündogan.
