One of three newcomers
Making the jump to the national team as a player in the Bundesliga table leader is actually nothing surprising. But for Robert Andrich, the initial appointment by national coach Julian Nagelsmann was unexpected at this point in time because the 29-year-old midfielder is currently not a regular at leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Although he was used in nine out of ten games this season, he was only in the starting line-up twice.
“The timing was very surprising for me because personally things have been going better and better for the last five years and for me personally it’s just not that satisfactory at the moment,” said Andrich after the second day of training for the DFB team in Foxborough. Nevertheless, he was very happy about the call from Nagelsmann. He confidently added: “And I also believe that I have earned it over the years.”
With returnees Hummels and Führich: Julian Nagelsmann’s first DFB squad
Andrich is enjoying his time in the USA. “I think you can personally leave the negative at home for a bit and look forward to this incredible experience here in the USA and at the DFB, to soak it all up, get it all out and just do your best,” said Andrich. “That’s why there’s no room for negativity.”
“Destroyer” Andrich one of three DFB newcomers: “Everyone is hot”
Nagelsmann sees Andrich as a “six” with a different profile than that embodied by captain Ilkay Gündogan, Joshua Kimmich or Leon Goretzka. The Leverkusen player could “be a kind of destroyer,” explained the national coach. Andrich also brings a special sense of responsibility for the defense.
Now Andrich, like other newcomers Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart) and Kevin Behrens (Union Berlin), is hoping to make his international debut perhaps on Saturday (9:00 p.m./RTL) in Hartford against the USA or next Wednesday in Philadelphia against Mexico . He feels great motivation in training and in the squad: “Everyone is looking forward to the games. Everyone is excited for the games. If a new coach is there, then you might have another two or three percent more, you can step on the gas, you have new input.”
To home page