DFB team: Hansi Flick wants to defeat Spain with an “all-in” mentality

Sané mission decides late

Hansi Flick is in danger of being knocked out of the World Cup – now the coach exemplifies the “all-in” mentality demanded of his players at the start of the tournament. At the press conference before the DFB team’s duel with feared opponents Spain on Sunday (8 p.m. / ZDF and Magenta TV), he said: “It’s about being there and showing the best performance.” Flick called for a decisive performance boost in comparison to the 1: 2 frustration at the start against Japan.

The tough discussion after the false start in the team hotel on the northern tip of Qatar had a cleansing effect for Flick. Germany no longer world class? He ironed this question, which sounded provocative but now totally justified, somewhat defiantly: “The game on Sunday will show that. Maybe then we’ll have a better answer.” All in, that’s it. For maximum success and the best possible preparation for his most difficult coaching test to date, Flick even risked an affront and, contrary to the rules set for all 32 teams, appeared alone for the media date with the assembled world press. From the DFB’s point of view, none of his 26 professionals could “be expected” to make the 100-kilometer drive through the desert to the media center in Doha, as the national coach said.

All or nothing. Flick knows the constellation. A loss to Spain and it could all be over on Sunday. He himself would be on the brink as national coach. A win and suddenly the sporting and psychological turnaround would be achieved. The Spaniards, who are tied on points, would have a more difficult task with Japan on the last day of the game than the DFB team with Costa Rica. As gloomy as the scenarios are painted in the German football sadness criticized by captain Manuel Neuer and striker Kai Havertz, everything is still possible.

“Individually we will see a team that knows what is at stake. She’s trying to do everything to keep the door to the round of 16 open,” promised Flick. He now needs eleven right ones for that. However, the 57-year-old kept a low profile when it came to selecting personnel. He hopes for more inspiration overnight, according to his witty statement: “I’ll be a bit smarter tomorrow morning”.

DFB team: Only 2 positions fixed against Spain – Kimmich will probably stay in midfield

Apart from Neuer, who is facing his 18th World Cup game and is drawing level with tournament record goalkeepers Sepp Maier and Claudio Taffarel, and defender Antonio Rüdiger, practically every position is still being debated. One thing is certain: From a medical point of view, whether Leroy Sané can celebrate his World Cup debut after his knee injury will only be decided on the day of the game. It could be heard that Joshua Kimmich will not be relegated to the position of right-back. Flick did not rule out a combination with Kimmich, Ilkay Gündogan and Leon Goretzka as a power buffer against Spanish filigree technology in midfield, but seems unlikely. In line with his nature, Flick probably changes little in terms of personnel and tactical statics.

Update 6:36 p.m.: The national team did their final training with all 26 players including Sané. National coach Flick hopes that the offensive player from FC Bayern Munich will be available on Sunday.

The seven-goal whirlwind of “Furia Roja” against a helpless Costa Rica on Wednesday strengthened the impression that a superior force is waiting for a new humiliation. As if the 0:6 exactly two years ago on the black night in Seville wasn’t still very unpleasantly present in German minds. “That is past. I’m not interested. Now is the future and we want to see that we defeat Spain,” said Flick after his extra time to ponder on the way to Doha in the shuttle bus. Flick also knows that if the all-in mentality doesn’t work, the “Back to the top of the world” project entrusted to him by Bierhoff will have failed in just 16 months.

Leipzig professional Olmo before the game against the DFB team: “You should never write them off”

Spain’s Dani Olmo meanwhile reminded of an injured Leipzig club colleague before the World Cup hit. “Germany had some sensitive failures like my team-mate Timo Werner. But you can never write them off,” said the 24-year-old. Olmo doesn’t want to deal too much with the expected fight against a DFB selection that has its back to the wall: “We’re focusing on ourselves. If we win, we’ll be through.” The RB Leipzig pro opened the scoring for Spain in a 7-0 win over Costa Rica. “The goal is to play seven games and we only have one out of seven,” he said.

Germany is a team that wants to dominate the game: “Hansi Flick also showed that at Bayern. We know how they play, but they also know us well.” Olmo fought his way back to the World Cup just in time after tearing a knee ligament. He was one hundred percent fit, he emphasized again. According to his own statements, Olmo has not had any contact with Leipzig’s DFB player David Raum these days, but with Lukas Klostermann, who also plays for the Saxons. In this phase of the tournament, however, there is no longer any detailed exchange: “We wished each other luck.”

DFB team: Spain coach Luis Enrique points to World Cup stars

Before the group summit, Spain’s coach Luis Enrique also expressed his respect for the weakening opponents. “At the World Cup you look at a jersey and see how many stars it has,” said the 52-year-old, referring to the four World Cup titles of the DFB selection from 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. The Spaniards are as one-time world champion (2010) started the tournament.

“If a team is ready to change their dynamic at this World Cup, it’s Germany. They always attack, they always want the ball,” he said. The opponent have the same principles to dominate the game. “The German team has some world-class players, but we believe we can beat them. That’s our goal.” The fact that the Iberians celebrated a dream start makes Enrique a little uneasy, despite all his friends. “I feel better when there are problems to discuss,” said the former international.

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