Hansi Flick smiled at the still empty seats in the Wembley legend. Just the sight of “one of the most beautiful stadiums on earth” made the national coach’s anticipation of the classic soar immeasurably. “We have a bit to make up for. We want to show that on the pitch,” said Flick after landing in London.
For all the beauty of the stadium, Flick is also aware of the importance of the duel with European runners-up England in front of 90,000 spectators on Monday (8.45 p.m. / RTL). 58 days before the World Cup opener against Japan, a prestige success should serve as a much-needed mood booster.
“It’s always important when you win. That gives the team confidence in their quality,” said Flick, who had 90 minutes above the clouds to ponder the most important question: who should score the goals? How does he get the effects of the Bayern crisis under control? “It’s about giving the players confidence,” said Flick.
The EM revenge as a World Cup encourager: Oliver Bierhoff also longs for a win. “This is the last test before the nomination, we want to make amends and gain trust, that’s extremely important,” said the DFB managing director.
Flick fuels competition
The sobering defeat against Hungary (0:1) and the playful group victory in the Nations League have raised doubts about a successful title mission – according to the DFB, this would be rewarded with 400,000 euros per player. But the frustrated duel with the Three Lions, who have been relegated in the Nations League, should be a sense of achievement, because Flick only sees his national players again the day before they leave for the short training camp in Oman (November 14th to 18th).
Flick is heating up the competition accordingly. “It’s an incentive for every single player to give everything and use the six weeks afterwards to be prepared,” said the 57-year-old, who missed “courage, trust, dynamism and intensity” against Hungary, but ” too many mistakes”.
Rotation against England
Even before the regeneration and analysis of the first defeat in the 14th game under his direction and the training on Sunday, Flick announced that “the time for experiments was over”. “Now we know what it’s all about, that opened our eyes,” said the national coach with confidence after just one win in the past six games.
Personally, he will make changes. Nico Schlotterbeck is likely to replace the suspended defender Antonio Rüdiger in central defense alongside his Dortmund team-mate Niklas Süle. Flick declared the attempt with Jonas Hofmann a failure on the right back, Thilo Kehrer should take his place.
The problems in the storm are much bigger. Even in the better second half against Hungary, “there weren’t enough chances to score”, complained Flick, who could also put Kai Havertz in front for Timo Werner.
Deployment guarantee for Bayern star
The sluggishness of the Hungary game also called for the dribbling and creativity of Jamal Musiala. “It’s a pleasure to see him play. He has this ease on the ball to get out of pressure situations,” said Flick, praising the 19-year-old and giving him a guarantee.
The problem: Musiala plays for FC Bayern, and the crisis in the German record champions also seeps into the national team. “You noticed that for many players, the phase in the club is not the easiest,” said substitute captain Müller.
All this has to be hidden on Monday. “It can be important for both teams after the defeats,” said Bierhoff, who shot the DFB selection to the European Championship title at Wembley in 1996 with his unforgettable golden goal.
But recent memories of football’s cult site are less than pleasant. At the European Championship, the DFB team lost to the hosts in the round of 16 (0:2). “We would like to forget that,” said Bierhoff – also with a view to Qatar. The players are aware of the immense importance. “Against England,” emphasized Ilkay Gündogan, “there are never friendlies.”