National coach Hansi Flick is convinced that the German national players will approach the Nations League competition with great ambition.
After all, the declared goal is to build up a feeling of strength for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year, starting with a win on Saturday evening in the opening game against European champions Italy.
“I have the feeling that every individual wants to play the Nations League and ultimately initiate what is possible at the end of the year. We want to gain self-confidence there,” said Flick to “ARD” radio shortly before the game Bologna.
“Winning is good for our self-confidence. We hope that we can win four,” said the 57-year-old about his ambitious goals in the two games against Italy, England and Hungary. The group winner advances to the Final Four tournament.
Bayern Munich star back on six?
In view of the return of regular player Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern Munich, who has been absent from the past four international matches, Flick emphasized that his selection in central midfield has meanwhile increased.
He referred to the good performance of Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) and Bayern youngster Jamal Musiala, who last formed the double six in the 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.
“Jamal is one more option in this position. It’s good to have as many options as possible,” said Flick.
Team name debate: “For me it’s ‘The Team'”
Flick also got involved in the debate about the controversial term “The Team”.
In the national team it’s “not an issue at all,” said the 57-year-old: “Every child is given a name. I don’t think the name ‘The Team’ – or whatever – ultimately contributes to whether we’re successful or fail.”
“I can only say: For me it’s ‘The Team’, because everyone is a part of Germany and everyone likes to play for this nation,” said the national coach.
That’s why he “can’t think of anything” about the discussion that was just being held in Germany, Flick remarked: “It doesn’t really matter. We’re proud, whether coaches or players, to be able to work for Germany. That should be the focus.”
A waiver of the name is currently being discussed in the German Football Association. The introduction also had marketing reasons.
“I know that the term ‘The Team’ is polarizing. But there must be factual reasons to abolish it, not just emotional ones,” said DFB director Oliver Bierhoff in the new issue of the news magazine “Der Spiegel”.