Amsterdam (dpa) – Germany against the Netherlands – that’s always tension and explosiveness. Eight months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, the German national football team today (8.45 p.m. / ARD) in Amsterdam is about an important position determination.
The Oranje team is the first well-known opponent for Hansi Flick. The 57-year-old is particularly looking forward to seeing Louis van Gaal again, the Elftal coach who, like the national coach, has a Munich background.
Starting position:
Flick doesn’t care about his impressive winning streak of eight wins in eight games. The Netherlands are the opponents the national coach has longed for, against whom one can simulate a World Cup emergency. Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Israel and Liechtenstein and Armenia twice each were certainly not. Nevertheless, Flick naturally also wants to win in Amsterdam. The 57-year-old knows that success at the Johan Cruyff Arena would give Qatar a good boost. Every win they achieve “gives us even more confidence in our own strength. And that’s what we need,” said Flick
Staff:
The national coach will make personnel changes compared to the 2-0 win against Israel. He lets the best possible team start in Amsterdam. Manuel Neuer returns to goal. Defender Antonio Rüdiger is playing his 50th international match. The duo called Flick “an axis.” On the offensive, Thomas Müller should steer the DFB-Elf. Young star Jamal Musiala promised Flick another starting XI, possibly this time more defensively in the sixth position.
Flick is missing some top players, including the Bayern quartet Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry. Kimmich was still waiting for the birth of his third child on Monday. Flick decided that the 27-year-old should therefore stay at home in Munich. Family is more important than football right now.
History:
With the rivalry between the Netherlands and Germany, you might sometimes think that there is nothing more important than football. The explosiveness is due to many historical duels, beginning with the German 2-1 victory in the World Cup final in 1974. Only in 1988 in the semi-finals of the European Championship was Oranje able to prevail (2-1) in a knockout game at a tournament against Germany. Two years later, the DFB-Elf won the World Cup round of 16 in Milan, which was overshadowed by Frank Rijkaard’s spitting attack on Rudi Völler, again with the same result. Overall, the record in 44 games with 16 wins, 16 draws and twelve defeats is positive for Germany.
Louis van Gaal:
Perhaps Louis van Gaal is not used to so much affection. From Hansi Flick to Thomas Müller – everyone praised the tulip general before the game, as the Oranje coach was once called in Munich. He left a lasting impression and important structures with the German record champions, said Flick, who years later became a successful coach in Munich. Müller, formed and promoted by van Gaal, is also looking forward to seeing you again. “We’ll take our time,” Müller announced.
World Championship:
See you again on Friday. The World Cup groups will be drawn in Doha. Flick and van Gaal will also be in Qatar. As of now, there will be a direct clash in the finals, but not before the knockout phase. Germany and the Netherlands are both very likely to be in pot two and may each be drawn a big chunk like Brazil, France or Argentina.