World Cup 2022 – Bierhoff: There is no rumbling in the national team

Sané trains partially

DFB director Oliver Bierhoff was deeply upset by the German national team’s false start at the World Cup in Qatar. The national team manager, who has been in office since 2004, is also concerned about a negative outcome of the tournament. “What does that mean for German football? What does this mean for further development? What does that mean for further investments?” said the national team director on Friday on “MagentaTV” about the 2-1 draw against Japan.

In the event of another defeat against Spain (8 p.m.), the DFB selection could miss the round of 16 on Sunday and, like four years ago in Russia, be eliminated after the group stage. “This is our first final,” said Bierhoff, who meanwhile does not want to have identified any cracks in the team. “Basically, even if it crackles, we had very successful national teams, some of the (players; ed.) didn’t talk to each other when you hear it in retrospect. (…) This myth that eleven friends have to be there – those times are over anyway and they didn’t exist before either. A certain amount of friction is always good,” said the 54-year-old “ARD” interview.

Compared to the preliminary round in Russia in 2018, there were no problems this time. “You could feel stronger tensions between younger and older players. There is a very homogeneous unit here that is pursuing a goal. That’s the most important thing: that, even though we’re different personalities and maybe have different ideas, we are all subordinate to one goal, which is to play a successful World Cup. And that is given here. There is definitely no rumbling in the team.” To the German team when they were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Neuer before the Spain game: “Know how not to do it”

Captain Manuel Neuer does not want to accept the politically charged discussions about wearing the “One Love” armband as a protest against FIFA and the host country Qatar as an excuse for the disappointing start to the tournament. “These are perhaps more of an excuse when you say you might have been busy with background noise,” emphasized the 36-year-old at the “ARD”. “We’ve screwed it up now, we know how not to do it. We also had good promotions (…). I think we all know how much potential there is in our team. We have to retrieve this, we can only solve it together.”

Leroy Sané was able to train with his colleagues at least partially in preparation for the duel against Spain. The FC Bayern attacking player missed the game against Japan due to an injury to his right knee. Thanks to Sané’s return, national coach Hansi Flick was able to start the practice session on Friday afternoon in the Al-Shamal SC stadium with all 26 players, at least at the beginning. On the warm-up lap, Sané ran alongside Jamal Musiala at the back of the group. A tape bandage supported his right knee. According to the DFB, Sané should not complete the entire training session. It was still unclear to what extent the 26-year-old would be able to play on Sunday.

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