National coach Hansi Flick has declared the second World Cup group game of the national soccer team against Spain next Sunday to be the final and made surprising statements about the role played by Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern.
“We don’t have a free shot anymore, the missed shot we had yesterday, that’s how we have to tackle the whole thing,” said Flick, one day after the bitter 1-2 in Germany’s World Cup opener against Japan.
“Many things” should have done better against the Spaniards. The DFB selection threatens the World Cup.
“In retrospect, you have to say that even if a lot was positive over 70 minutes, in the end, if you go into detail, it wasn’t what we imagined,” said Flick about the Japan game. “We have to turn the screws and try to make things better.”
Every single player must look to make the game “simply better for themselves”. “We have a lot to do,” said Flick.
New role for Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern?
Flick no longer categorically rules out a position change for midfield boss Joshua Kimmich.
“You can really assume that we will discuss every personal detail and every position. We do that before every game. It’s our job as the coaching team to set up the team so that it has top players,” said the 57-year-old.
As always, Kimmich played under Flick on the six in the 1: 2 at the World Cup opener in Qatar against Japan. During Flick’s time as coach at FC Bayern, however, the 27-year-old helped out as a right-back in the Champions League triumph in 2020. He also held this position at the beginning of his national team career.
Against Japan, Flick surprisingly called up Niklas Süle on the right back. The Dortmund player was instrumental in both goals conceded.
System change in the DFB team? “We are not that far yet”
However, Flick wants to remain true to his system with a back four. “We’re not that far yet,” he said when asked about a possible switch to a back three.
Leroy Sané may be an option for the Spain game. “Leroy is on the pitch right now, training by himself. That’s positive,” said Flick.
Sané had missed the bitter 2-1 draw against Japan due to knee problems. The 26-year-old was replaced on the left offensive side by young star Jamal Musiala.