The DFB team has only won two of the last eight games in major tournaments. Will Joshua Kimmich and Co. find their way back to the “tournament team” myth?
The trainer
Hans-Dieter “Hansi” Flick took over the DFB-Elf in the summer of 2021. Shortly before that, he had enjoyed a good year and a half of success with FC Bayern Munich, during which he, initially only installed as an interim coach, won two championships, the DFB Cup and the Champions League.
At the DFB, Flick, who had already celebrated the world championship title in 2014 as assistant coach to Joachim Löw, has not yet radiated the greatest splendor. Although only one of the 15 games under his leadership was lost, namely the 0:1 against Hungary in September 2022, the many draws against stronger opponents in particular caused a dampened euphoria. Flick mostly sticks to his 4-2-3-1 system and thus ensures stability. By the way, the most minutes played under Flick in the DFB team is someone you wouldn’t necessarily have on the screen: Thilo Kehrer.
The star
Joshua Kimmich was the leader at FC Bayern Munich under Flick and is also in the national team. Kimmich played through all Nations League games, is placed in defensive midfield and can and should also be the speaker in the team. In the debate about Kimmich’s vaccination status, the national coach put himself in front of his string puller, who is indispensable for his system.
Player To Watch
Jamal Musiala is no longer unknown internationally, but the appearance of the 19-year-old in Qatar is still his first in the really big international showcase. At the European Championships he only played a total of eight minutes – since then, however, his playing times have increased significantly. In the last eight internationals he has been in the starting line-up five times and came on as a substitute in the other three.
A year and a half after his debut for the senior national team, Musiala is the man who makes the German game special and who should – and can – create chances with his dribbles outside of the tactical corset. He is also the “player to watch” because you just like to watch him.
special
At the 2018 World Cup, the DFB-Elf met a team from Asia, one from CONCACAF and a European competitor in the preliminary round. The result was sobering back then with only three points and the last place in the group. From the starting eleven from the last group game against South Korea, however, only five players are still in the squad for this tournament. In total, only two of the last eight games in major tournaments have been won and five have been lost.
World Cup Chances
Due to the 2018 World Cup and the knockout round at the 2021 European Championship, the DFB team is not one of the most likely title candidates for the first time in many years. In the group with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica, the Flick-Elf is one of two top contenders for the round of 16, alongside Spain. Belgium or Croatia would probably be waiting there. Basically anything is possible for the DFB in Qatar, the squad definitely has the potential, but at the moment you have to queue behind the top nations when it comes to the big favourites.