Before the German national soccer team takes on Japan in Wolfsburg on Saturday evening (8:45 p.m. on RTL and in the sport.de live ticker), Hansi Flick answers journalists’ questions at a press conference. With which eleven does the national coach want to tackle the game that is so important for his future? Does Joshua Kimmich actually play as a disguised right-back?
sport.de reported today Friday from 12:45 p.m at this point in the detailed live ticker from the DFB PK with national coach Hansi Flick.
+++ Flick about the Amazon documentary about the World Cup +++
I haven’t seen it yet because I was there. There are contracts and the DFB had no influence on when the documentary would be published.
+++ Flick about the Japanese team +++
A very interesting team. They ultimately caused us the decisive defeat at the World Cup. They play very attacking and beautiful football. I’m looking forward to the game against Japan and hope we can do well.
+++ Flick about Malick Thiaw +++
We are pleased with the development of Malick, who also gets a lot of minutes at Milan, but tomorrow we will play Niklas Süle.
+++ Flick about the clear criticism after the last games +++
I hardly consumed any media after the World Cup. I would like to look after this team. I find that fun. In the end, you don’t always achieve the success you hope for. We know that tomorrow’s game and tomorrow’s game are very important for us.
+++ Gündogan about the first weeks in Barcelona +++
I had good conversations with the trainer beforehand. The club has great appeal. For me it was the perfect time to make the change. We have a young team that has a lot of potential. Of course, you can’t currently compare the team with Manchester City. But I am convinced that we can be very successful this season too.
+++ Flick about the “new” national team +++
Life is always about learning from the past. We said after the World Cup that we wanted to test a lot of things. Now we have agreed on an idea, a game philosophy. The first training sessions were good. Now we hope that we can regain our self-confidence through a good game.
+++ Flick about Kimmich’s position +++
It’s important that the team gets used to it. Where Joshua can ultimately play a decisive role for us also depends on the opponent.
+++ Flick about the re-nomination of Thomas Müller +++
We had to react when it became clear that Niclas Füllkrug was out. He is someone who sees the “big picture”. He knows exactly, because we always speak openly, that he performs well in the club in order to then play a role for us.
+++ Gündogan about a possible DFB resignation +++
There was never a point where I thought about quitting. Hansi didn’t have to convince me to continue, but I wanted to talk to him to get to know his ideas and perspectives. I am pleased about the trust of the coaching team and it is an honor for me to lead this team onto the field as captain.
+++ Flick about Joshua Kimmich +++
Joshua is incredibly important to us. It can make many positions better. Japan and France are two important games for us. We are happy that we have such a player, with these qualities, in the team.
+++ Flick about the many topics surrounding the team +++
There are always many topics that concern us. Also due to the current situation. We have changed a lot, tried to convey it to the team and are happy with how they have implemented it so far. Especially in the game against the U20. It was good for us how we scored the goals. That has to give us confidence.
+++ Flick and Gündogan about Gündogan’s role in the DFB team +++
Flick: “We said that we would test a lot of things. Ilkay will have a slightly different role from now on and will bring the skills he has into our game.”
Gündogan: “If we manage to get used to it and find a team, that will also be good for my game. I don’t see myself as a game-deciding player who scores goals and assists. I’ve had good international matches in the recent past. I’m trying Always adapt as best I can.
+++ Flick on the changes within the team +++
“A lot has already come out. We thought about it and decided to give Ilkay the captain’s armband. He and Joshua Kimmich are our leadership duo. That gives us new energy.”
+++ Flick and Gündogan are here! +++
The PK starts.
+++ It’s about to start! +++
We expect Hansi Flick on the podium soon! Ilkay Gündogan will also be there.
+++ For national coach Flick, a lot is at stake +++
After the botched experiments in the last international match phase in June surrounding the failed attempt to implement a three-man chain, Hansi Flick has to worry about his future as national coach. The 58-year-old is counted and must now finally produce reasonable results on the way to the home European Championships next year.
Recently there was only a disappointing and rather fortunate 3:3 against Ukraine and two defeats against Poland (0:1) and Colombia (0:2). Far too little for the demands of the DFB leadership, who had actually hoped to ignite euphoria for the tournament in their own country at an early stage.
In any case, Flick is considered counted, and various names have long been discussed as possible successors. Above all, Julian Nagelsmann, who has been released from FC Bayern, keeps appearing in the rumor mill, but former Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner and BVB consultant Matthias Sammer have also been discussed. In short: Flick is under pressure! How does the national coach deal with this? How does the 58-year-old want to save his job? There could be initial answers at the DFB-PK.
+++ Kimmich as the new right-back with a bonus? +++
Hansi Flick has nominated 24 national players for the upcoming games against Japan (September 9th, 8:45 p.m.) and France (September 12th, 9 p.m.). But who can be in the starting line-up against Japan on Saturday? After the injury-related departure of striker Niclas Füllkrug (BVB), there are more than five variants for the number nine position.
But things will also be exciting on defense. As has been suggested in the last few days, Joshua Kimmich could be moved from defensive midfield to the right-back position. So does the thinker and leader of FC Bayern have to give up his favorite position completely? Probably not.
According to “Bild” information, Kimmich should not play the role of a classic right-back, but rather move into the center when in possession of the ball and act as a kind of liaison player between offense and defense. Can Flick confirm these speculations? Will Kimmich actually get some kind of bonus so that he can better accept the position at the back right that he doesn’t like? We’ll know more from 12:45 p.m.!