The first two games of 2022 on the way to the World Cup in Qatar have been mastered for Hansi Flick and the DFB team. Now it has been revealed how the national coach committed his troops to the big goal.
2-0 against Israel, 1-1 against the Netherlands: The first preparatory games with a view to the World Cup finals, which begin in Qatar at the end of November, should have satisfied Hansi Flick. His protégés concentrated on both games, although these were actually “only” classic friendlies.
According to information from “Sport Bild”, Flick has initiated a change in the DFB team. Accordingly, the national coach injected his World Cup plan into the national players immediately after their arrival at the training camp in Gravenbruch in the middle of last week. This also included a different way of dealing with otherwise mostly irrelevant test games.
“There will be no more friendlies from now on,” the 57-year-old is said to have emphasized in an internal speech. “Everyone has to reach their performance limit,” Flick continued. Means: Who – as otherwise might be possible – in the friendlies even a few percent less, could lose his World Cup ticket.
This is how Flick puts the DFB team on course for the World Cup
The same applies to the upcoming Nations League games this year. Although these have been upgraded in comparison to “normal” friendlies due to the relatively new competition, they should still be used as preparatory games with a view to the World Cup.
For Flick, one thing is certain: “The goal for all of us must be to win the World Cup.” To do this, the national coach not only has to find the right staff, but also bring them together as a team. There was a big team dinner for this. More are to follow.
Flick also relies on numerous one-on-one meetings, as “Sport Bild” reports, and uses all locations for this. The 57-year-old takes his players aside in the hotel, during training and during the game.
Extensive video sessions round off the preparation for the finals. At Flick, these take place with the entire team as well as with individual parts of the team.