DFB debutant Pascal Groß relies on his “great strength”

Before test duels

On his first day with the national team, Pascal Groß was much more familiar with the ball at his feet than the microphone on the DFB podium. The top performer at English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion is “surprised” himself that his dream of becoming a national team member at the ripe old age of 32 is still being fulfilled. He had never had contact with Hansi Flick until he called. Meanwhile, Union Berlin’s record transfer Robin Gosens announced that the DFB team would also play against Japan and France for the national coach.

Just in time for the start of the European Championship season, Groß received a call from home, where the “England Legionnaire” embodies a much-needed breath of fresh air. “I’m happy that Pascal can show us what he’s got,” said Flick and said he was convinced: “We’ll see a good guy there.” In the Premier League is the name of the former Bundesliga professional from FC Ingolstadt widely known.

Groß was largely responsible for the fact that outsiders Brighton qualified for the European Cup for the first time in the club’s history. Born in Mannheim, he was his team’s top scorer last season with nine goals and eight assists. He is now Brighton’s Premier League record scorer with 27 goals.

Groß, who had increased his market value by two million euros over the past season (for an overview), is someone who can shine on the pitch with the ball on his foot. But he prefers to be a player who lets the colleagues around him shine. “I’m a team player, that’s my greatest strength.”

Of course, he hopes to make his debut in the test matches against Japan on Saturday (8:45 p.m. / RTL) in the Wolfsburg Arena or three days later against World Cup runners-up France in Dortmund. “I just try to fulfill my role when I get playing minutes,” said the native of Mannheim in a calm tone.

Groß’ advantage could be that he can fill several positions, not only in midfield but also on the right back. “But the eight is my best position,” said the right-footer, who could also be a man for set pieces in the DFB team. In Brighton he hits the corner kicks and free kicks from the half field. The Premier League, with its high pace and high intensity, made him a better footballer.

Flick about DFB debutant Groß: “Makes very good decisions”

With the invitation, Flick rewarded Groß’ consistently good performances in the strongest league in the world. “Pascal is in his seventh season in the Premier League. I spoke to his coach Roberto de Zerbi at length, who spoke very, very positively about him. Pascal makes very good decisions on the pitch,” reported the coach.

Groß himself wants to “serve the team and try to put my team-mates in the limelight as best I can.” At 32, he is the third-oldest field player in the current DFB squad behind Thomas Müller (33) and Ilkay Gündogan (32). At the DFB debut, only a few well-known ex-national players such as goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, defender Paul Steiner or goalscorer Martin Max (all 33) were older than him. Steiner (1990 in Italy) and Weidenfeller (2014 in Brazil) even became world champions afterwards.

Gosens on duels with Japan and France: “I owe it to the national coach”

A team-mate who was called back into the squad in June after missing seven international matches and is back in action against Japan and France is Robin Gosens. The midfielder, who switched from Union Berlin to the Bundesliga last week as a new record transfer, made the sporting expectations for the upcoming international matches clear:

“We went into the summer break with a bad feeling because the games in June didn’t go as we had imagined. We know exactly how much is at stake. We also owe the national coach a debt. We have to get good results.”

Flick had come under criticism after just one win in the last five games. “We have to deliver. And we will do that,” said Gosens, who is convinced of the abilities of his colleagues: “We have an incredible quality in the team,” he said, but qualified: “I understand anyone who currently doesn’t believe in it.”

The 29-year-old, who scored two goals in the first three Bundesliga games for his new club, wants to “make sure that I can play my game, that there are fewer changes, at least on the left. That is only possible through personal good performances in the club and also here.”

To home page