Hansi Flick announced his 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar (November 20 to December 18) at the Frankfurt DFB campus. The most important findings:
What are the most exciting personal details?
Hansi Flick has heard the fans’ pleas – the newcomers Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen) and Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund) are going to Qatar. Mario Götze, the great hero of Rio in 2014, returns after a five-year DFB break.
Was there a surprise?
Yes. Flick called up England legionnaire Armel Bella Kotchap, who made his debut against England (3-3) in September. The 20-year-old central defender from FC Southampton, son of former Cameroonian international Cyrille Florent Bella (among others Paderborn, Ahlen), was given preference over Mats Hummels (34).
The veteran is “very valuable” for Dortmund, said Flick, but he has “an eye on the future”. Hummels spoke of “one of the biggest disappointments of my career”.
In addition to Hummels, Flick refrained from discovering Robin Gosens at the European Championship. The ailing Marco Reus is out for a short time, Flick had “hoped for him to the last” – in vain: “It hurts.”
Unlucky Reus wrote: “Unfortunately, a big dream of mine has burst.” again. Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha are also injured, Florian Wirtz is not there after his cruciate ligament tear. Flick does without players from the surprise team Union Berlin.
The squad is led by seven Bayern Munich professionals led by captain Manuel Neuer, who are all important pillars. The leading players also include defender Antonio Rüdiger, about whom Flick has “no concerns” despite recent injury problems, and Ilkay Gündogan. In addition to Neuer, there are four world champions from 2014 in Thomas Müller, Götze and Matthias Ginter.
Why was Götze reactivated?
The 30-year-old has revived his dead-end career in Frankfurt and is a top performer at Eintracht. “Mario is a brilliant footballer who has flashes of inspiration, who does everything intuitively,” said Flick: “He can give us a surprise or two.” Like the winning goal against Argentina in the 2014 final.
What does Flick expect from Füllkrug and Moukoko?
After the loss of Werner and backup Nmecha, the national coach has a storm problem. Füllkrug has “the momentum”, he said, the 29-year-old is “one who gives the team the confidence that something is still possible”. After Flick’s message, the man from Bremen spontaneously started a cabin party and cheered: “It’s the greatest thing a footballer can experience.”
Moukoko, who will soon be 18 and the youngest World Cup driver in DFB history, “is fast, lively and has a good finish,” enthused Flick. He hopes for “something special” from both attackers. He was “simply incredibly happy and overwhelmed,” said Moukoko.
How is the contingent to be assessed?
“This squad gives us many opportunities,” said Flick: “We are very, very happy that we have such quality.” The national coach nominated courageously and balanced, but doubts remain as to whether the high goal of winning the World Cup is realistic.
However, these are not due to Flick’s selection, but to the lack of alternatives – especially in defense and in the center of the attack, where a world-class nine is missing.
What does Flick say about human rights in Qatar?
“It leaves us speechless. I’m stunned that something like this is happening today,” said Flick about the homophobic statements by Qatar’s World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman. The DFB selection does not want to “duck away” on this topic, but “concentrate on the sport”.
On Monday, the national team leaves Frankfurt for the short training camp in Oman, where the World Cup dress rehearsal against the selection of this country will take place on Wednesday. The next day we continue to the World Cup quarters, the opening game against Japan will take place on November 23rd. Other group opponents are Spain and Costa Rica.