Almuth Schult is back in goal for the German soccer team for the first time in the last World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria (Tuesday 6.30 p.m. / ARD One).
A pitch that is difficult to play on, with well-worn spots and treacherous bumps is about the last thing a goalkeeper wants. But that’s exactly what Almuth Schult expects when one of the most charismatic personalities in German football is finally allowed to keep the DFB women’s goal again.
More than three years after her last assignment – losing the World Cup quarter-finals against Sweden (1: 2) in Rennes, France – the 31-year-old is now in the World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria in Plovdiv’s Lokomotiv Stadium (Tuesday 6.30 p.m. / ARD One ) to the train. Even if it’s just the provincial ambience instead of the pompous stage, Schult should see her 65th international match as a reward.
Added value as a person and personality
“We want to take the chance that she finally plays for us too”, said national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. After all, the prominent goalkeeper had one last sport “complicated time” experienced: “For her, the EM was not what she had imagined. But it gives us added value in all areas as a person and personality. We want to give Almuth the support she deserves and that does justice to her importance.”
In England, the mother of twins not only had to nibble on being relegated to second place behind flawless Merle Frohms, which inevitably reminded her of her long existence in Nadine Angerer’s shadow, but she also had to deal with a cold and back problems. After all, her children who traveled to the island cheered up the entire DFB delegation.
Also at Angel City FC so far only on the bench
After moving to the USA with the family, her career is still faltering: Schult has not yet been able to show herself in the flagship project Angel City FC, because Dijana Haracic, a popular US-American with Bosnian roots, comes to her when she is an actress Natalie Portman with the founded NWSL club not (yet) over.
“The other goalkeeper is doing a good job – it’s a special situation,” said the national coach, who not only wants to treat the Olympic champion Schult to this one assignment in the World Cup season: “It won’t be the game that will keep her busy. We’ll certainly find other opportunities in the coming year.”
Schult lost his regular place in the DFB team after the 2019 World Cup due to shoulder surgery and childbirth. Planned assignments before the EM, when she slowly found her old form again and won the double with VfL Wolfsburg to say goodbye, burst due to renewed injuries or corona disease.
Internal climate strengthened at the EM
What was to be credited to her, especially during the tournament: the prominent athlete and recognized ARD expert presented herself as a real team player. Largely dispensed with the external effect, preferring instead to strengthen the internal climate.
“She was there for everyone and everyone and super important”also praised Sara Däbritz on Monday. “She supported the young players and the experienced players like me. It will be a special moment for her.”, believes the midfielder who switched to the Champions League record winner Olympique Lyon. Incidentally, she too is a bit afraid of the underground with the Bulgarian host: “One touch football won’t be possible. Maybe we need to adjust our style of play a bit with more touches.”
All field players are used
Nevertheless, Schult shouldn’t make all this sweat excessively – she can’t expect much more than back passes against a limited opponent (first leg 0:7). After qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand thanks to the 3-0 win in Turkey, the national coach wants to use all field players.
“We will rotate not just a little, but a lot”, announced the 54-year-old. Jana Feldkamp and Sjoeke Nüsken, who were knocked out shortly before the European Championships, are used, as are Laura Freigang and Sydney Lohmann, who are publicly pushing for more playing time.