For international matches at the end of March
National coach Hansi Flick wants to nominate some newcomers for the two international matches at the end of March. He is currently exchanging views with his coaching team about “what they saw in the game observations and which player came up,” said Flick on Tuesday at an appointment for the 2024 European Championships in Cologne. “We’ll see if we have one or two newcomers with us. It will be interesting to see some young ones.”
Flick assured about three months after the preliminary round at the World Cup in Qatar that he was looking forward to the games against Peru on March 25 in Mainz and three days later against Belgium in Cologne. “We want to show what we’re made of,” emphasized Flick. “I’m sure we have very good quality and cool guys. It’s about calling up the power at the right moment. It’s important to feel that there is a team that fights passionately and wants to give something back to the spectators. Anyone who wants that is welcome to join us on our way to Euro 24.”
The focus is now on the defensive. “Clearly, we have to improve there,” said the national coach. “If you look at the World Cup, the teams that conceded the fewest goals were the most successful. Our opponents were above average against us, so we were eliminated. We have to make sure that we defend uncompromisingly.”
8 out of 9 are U21 European champions: All DFB debutants under Hansi Flick
DFB: Flick will probably rely on Ter Stegen during Neuer’s absence
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will meanwhile be the clear number one in the national team during the injury of first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “We have often spoken out on this topic and made our order very clear,” says Flick. Ter Stegen from FC Barcelona was always the clear number two behind Neuer. While Neuer has made 117 appearances for the DFB team so far, Ter Stegen has 30.
“But in this position we have the fewest problems in Germany,” added Flick. “We have three, four, five goalkeepers who are among the best in the world. That’s why I have no worries at all.” Neuer, who was still the clear number one at the World Cup in November, will be out for an indefinite period with a broken leg. The most valuable German keeper is currently ter Stegen with a market value of 30 million euros. He is followed by Neuer with 12 million euros and Alexander Nübel and Bernd Leno with 10 million euros each.
Nübel just behind Neuer: The most valuable German goalkeeper
After Neuendorf & Völler: Also DFB coach Flick for earlier kick-off times
Like DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and sporting director Rudi Völler before him, Flick also spoke out in favor of earlier kick-off times for international matches. “I already have grandchildren and I’m often asked by their classmates: Why do you always play so late?” said the national coach. At least occasionally, earlier kick-off times should be possible. “These are things that we keep bringing up but on which we don’t find consensus. We have to make sure that we find a solution, that we may not play every game earlier, but at least have one from time to time that the whole family can watch.”
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