Christian Wück’s start as a national coach was bumpy. This was also due to the fact that he had very precise expectations of his players. But now one bike goes into the other: the data show that Wück and his team have found each other in time for the European Championship (July 2 to 27).
The data analysis of Global Soccer Network (GSN) comes to a surprising conclusion: “Christian Wück does not call the ‘best’ players in general sense of his contingent.” A sentence in which you can listen. And inclined fans of the women’s national team immediately think of striker Nicole Anyomi from Eintracht Frankfurt or left-back Felicitas Rauch, who earns her money from North Carolina Courage in the USA. Both had been left more or less left by Wück – and had publicly complained about poor communication by the new national coach.
“Christian Wück does not call the ‘best’ players in general sense of his contingent, but those who best fit into the game model he defined by him.”
-From the GSN data analysis
But why the two (and others) hardly play a role in Wück, explains the second part of the sentence from GSN analysis. Accordingly, the 52-year-old football teacher nominates the players “who best fit in the game model defined by him”. In other words: Wück does not primarily look at which German players are the best, but which players best fit in their 4-2-3-1 system.
This procedure for the squad combination “differs significantly from classic selection principles”, the data experts continue to explain: “Functional suitability is faced with individual class, awareness and experience of the players.”
Start with obstacles – especially for the players
A point that not only had to get used to the little or non -nominated players. This was also true for the in the truest sense of the word “chosen” – and was reflected in a bumpy start. 33 players (and Alexandra Popp in their “farewell game” against Australia) were used in the ten games under Wück and were put through their paces.
What started spectacular with the 4: 3 in London against England also showed significant weaknesses in the 1: 2 defeats against Australia and Italy. The national coach himself explained shortly afterwards that his team obviously (still) lacked in some positions in the necessary class. And he meant positions in his system.
“Key role” for late -professed Knaak
But over time the coach found its players. GSN Rebecca Knaak mentions as a “prime example”. The central defender probably had only a few for the European Championship squad. Wück helped her in the National League first leg in the Netherlands (2: 2) to the international debut. And if the 28-year-old from Manchester City had not injured his thigh in the meantime, more than the three other missions in the Nations League would have been added. GSN describes Knaak as “passable under pressure” and “position stable”. Therefore, she has “a key role in the construction game”.
Inconspicuous Sense fits perfectly into the system
The situation is similar with Elisa Sense. The Frankfurt woman is after captain Giulia Gwinn and Janina Minge – only the two were on the square in every game – with nine missions in the central midfield, number three of the Wück’s deployment ranking. The 27-year-old was there at the Olympic football tournament, in which Germany won bronze with Horst Hrubesch on the sidelines, but was more of a supplementary player.
What demands the 4-2-3-1 under Christian Wück?
- Flat game structure about central defenders and goalkeepers
- Center control through double six
- Strict wing rolls
- A tenth woman who controls the game and does not dominate
- A middle striker who also connects, plays anchor and directs the pressing
- Remaining defense in equal numbers or outnumber
(Source: GSN analysis)
According to GSN, Sense is not in the actual sense even now – neither through your pace or your physical presence nor through her offensive urge. But it fits perfectly into the system. The data analysis comes to the conclusion that the 1.61-meter woman is a “clever mediator between the construction and attack phase”, Sense “circulate the ball safely and fall back intelligently in the event of loss of ball”. The fact that she was not on the pitch in the 1-2 defeat against Australia fits the picture.
GSN: “Frohms would be clear to the number one under Wück”
Curiously, some players who have recently ended their career in the national team would also be ideal for the new requirements. Popp as a central striker anyway. But also Melanie Leupolz “as an almost ideal double-six player in the Wück-System” and Svenja Huth, who would probably be a regular player on the wing at Wück.
And then there is also Merle Frohms. The goalkeeper had been degraded to number two under Hrubesch and then declared her international career over. The GSN assessment: “Frohms would be clear by Wück.
Hardfalls Anyomi, Rauch and Simon
Anyomi, smoke and Carolin Simon, on the other hand, are among the hardship cases under Wück. Left -back Simon (22 caps) was on the pitch at the German champion FC Bayern in every game, but was not even nominated. Anyomi, as one of the most offensive German players in the Bundesliga, only used (only recently due to injury) since the change of coach. At least five missions are listed in smoke-however, the last time in the starting eleven she was at the National League first leg against Austria (4: 1) at the end of February. In the end, she was only nominated on call.
According to GSN, “Anyomi’s game of instinct lives and not of structure”. Their strengths are pace, dribbling levels, goal risk and courage in one-on-one. These are “many attributes that are in demand in modern football”. But not (primarily) in Wücks 4-2-3-1, which primarily concerns “position intelligence and tactical discipline”.
Rauch is “a wing runner in a classic style – strongly positioned with the ball on the foot, but occasionally too high and not constant in protection”. Possibly for smoke, with Simon, apparently the exclusion criterion. The analysts also praise the Munich native for her offensive qualities, “but defensive she is not stable enough, and not precisely enough in the structure”.
Wück and the players take a step towards each other
Wück and the German national team of women – this has been better and better in the past few weeks and months. And especially the recent victories against the Netherlands (4-0) and in Austria (6-0) have shown that the bikes are now collapsing. According to GSN, they “undoubtedly mark a turning point”. Accordingly, not only the players have agreed to the demands of their trainer. Wück has also “become more flexible in its implementation”.
“The 4: 0 against the Netherlands and the 6-0 against Austria undoubtedly mark a turning point in Christian Wück’s term.”
-From the GSN data analysis
The 4-2-3-1 is no longer so rigid. And especially the clear distribution of tasks in midfield (a deeper six -man and a ten as ball distributor) ensured a more successful game: unclean relays, lack of access in the center and the too slow switching from the beginning under Wück are a thing of the past.
After Olympic bronze: Will the European Championship also become a success?
Under Hrubesch with Olympic bronze, the team provided high expectations at the upcoming European Championship. The clear line of Wück now describes GSN as “strategically sound, future -oriented and systemically consistent”. The requirements for the players are now much more complex – and also more prone to errors.
On Thursday (June 12, 2025), the national coach announces his squad for the European Championship. And there should be hardship cases. But the last five victories in a row with 24: 2 goals give hope that this way in Switzerland too will lead to success.
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Sport Current | 12.06.2025 | 1:17 p.m.
