For the German national soccer team, the first friendlies after the World Cup debacle in Qatar are coming up. For the upcoming games against Peru (March 25) and Belgium (March 28), national coach Hansi Flick has nominated some new players and left established regulars at home. The DFB coach answers questions from the press on Monday morning. Sports director Rudi Völler and U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo will be present.
sport.de accompanies the press conference from 11:00 a.m. on the live blog
+++ Flick about experiments +++
“We need stability in the team. We need conviction. But we also need opportunities and options in all positions. We see potential in the players that not everyone had on their cards.”
+++ Flick about the team’s obligation to deliver +++
“We have good quality. We’re very happy with the squad. It can be a good team. We expect everyone to be passionate about the pitch. That should then spread to the fans. I’m convinced of it that we present ourselves well.”
+++ Di Salvo about Paul Wanner +++
“We met Paul about 10 days ago, with his father and his advisor. We showed him the path he could take with the DFB. He’s also traded with the Austrians because of his great talent, but he hasn’t had much lately played. He’s still young and wants to continue on the path with the DFB without making a final decision. He knows the plans, that should be enough.”
+++ Flick about the short-term Musiala failure +++
“It’s a shame for everyone that Jamal isn’t there. We hope he can play again after the internationals if possible, especially for the final games of the season.”
+++ Flick about the debut of the newcomers +++
“That’s our plan. We have to wait and see. We have to see what they offer us on the pitch. We’re curious about what we’ll see.”
+++ Flick about the non-nomination of some players +++
“You have to make decisions in life. The big season finale is coming up. It’s important for us that they don’t just train and play. Not all of us would have had that opportunity.”
+++ Flick about the exchange with Di Salvo +++
“Interlocking is important. The U21 European Championship is the last big event for many players. I don’t think he’s been that enthusiastic about the last few weeks. We want to put the squad together, we’ve chosen the path of seeing who has the potential to be at next year’s European Championships, he should have the best team available at this year’s Under-21s, but Jamal Musiala or Florian Wirtz won’t be eligible, everyone else has the opportunity .”
+++ Völler about working together at the DFB +++
“The common PK has a symbolic meaning. We want to prove how important the U21 national team is. Not only do we have the big European Championship at home in 2024, but also the U21 European Championship next year. That’s something I personally really like important. All players who are there have the chance to be part of the European Championship as well. We are very fortunate to have this impressive European Championship in our own country. Having a big tournament in our own country is something special. We look forward to it all of us.”
+++ Völler, Flick and Di Salvo are there +++
The DFB officials sit down and greet the journalists present. Now we can start!
+++ It’s about to start +++
The three protagonists are expected on stage in a few minutes.
+++ How does the DFB-Elf start preparing for the home EM? +++
After the embarrassing end of the group phase at the World Cup in Kater, the German national team has a lot to make up for with their supporters. The really big chair movement in the environment of the DFB-Elf did not materialize. Only Oliver Bierhoff resigned. Rudi Völler has taken over his duties.
For Hansi Flick, who was allowed to remain in office after an extensive analysis, there is already a lot at stake with the friendlies against Peru on Saturday and against Belgium on March 28th. The DFB team is already preparing for the 2024 European Championship in their own country. Can the Flick squad get two wins at the start?
+++ Hansi Flick’s squad nomination causes astonishment +++
Hansi Flick announced his squad on Friday. Some established forces such as Thomas Müller, Niklas Süle, Leroy Sané and Antonio Rüdiger waited in vain for the national coach to call and therefore had to stay at home.
But there are six debutants in the line-up for the upcoming friendlies with Marius Wolf, Malick Thiaw, Felix Nmecha, Kevin Schade, Mergim Berisha and Josha Vagnoman. In particular, the nomination of the Stuttgarter caused a stir, as Vagnoman was not in the starting line-up eight times in a row. How does Flick justify his squad selection?