Gladbach striker in focus
© Imago
Tim small service is something like the new Niclas Füllkrug. The center forward of Borussia Mönchengladbach is a late -profession in the German national team, as is the striking stroke of West Ham United for months. Small service scored his head in the National League quarter-finals against Italy in the 2-1 in the first leg in Milan and also in the 3: 3 in the second game in Dortmund. Six caps, four goals-a top quota.
There was special praise from the former world -class striker and world champion Rudi Völler. “I congratulated Tim again right away,” reported the DFB sports director in the Dortmund stadium. What the Gladbacher does as a real nine in front is impressive. “You really have to say that. It is always easy to score a goal, as a striker you have fulfilled your task,” said Völler: “But the way he kept balls at the front is also important. And he has already demonstrated his header strength in the first leg.”
Small service has only been national players since last October. And he enjoys every game, every moment, every goal. “It was a lot of fun,” he said to the dominant first half: “It all picked up.” And now everyone in the team would simply look forward to the final four tournament in June. Small service has first established itself as a classic center forward.
The 32-year-old filling jug will have to prove in the DFB comeback that he is better. The man with the striking tooth gap was also 29 years old when he played his first international match shortly before the 2022 World Cup. His quota is also great, 14 goals in 22 games. “Tim played two outstanding games. He is totally dangerous,” said goalkeeper Oliver Baumann about the performance of small service against Italy.
So Nagelsmann thinks about a possible small service transfer
National coach Julian Nagelsmann was asked about small service after the game in Dortmund and a possible change of the attacker to a larger club. “He first switched to Gladbach and still feels very comfortable. He should see that he brings his performance constantly and scores goals as he does now,” said Nagelsmann.
In the end, playing time is above everything. “And he gets it right in Gladbach. Therefore, if I would advise him, I would say just play as much as you can and score as many goals as it works. If he has confidence in a even bigger club than Gladbach, he should do it, if not, he should stay there.”