Flicks “fine line” in the nomination
Berlin
Hansi Flick feels most comfortable when he talks about his core business. On this Friday, the national coach is known his line-up for the annual results of the German national soccer team against Liechtenstein and in Armenia.
And so that potential newcomers like Wolfsburg’s youngster Lukas Nmecha did not die completely from the highly emotional vaccination debate about the leader Joshua Kimmich, who was not yet protected from Corona, Flick jumped his superior as a precaution.
Bierhoff strengthens Kimmich
There is “no question that we do not have to be vaccinated in Germany and therefore accept Jo’s hiring and continue to fully support him as a national player,” said DFB director Oliver Bierhoff of the “Bild” newspaper (Thursday). The decision of the 26-year-old Bayern star, which was even commented on by Chancellor Angela Merkel, to forego the corona vaccination for the time being, was discussed “personally” with him, Bierhoff said.
And flick? The national coach will also have to comment on this issue. With only a year left to prepare, Flick is subordinating everything to his big World Cup goal in Qatar. The international matches on Thursday in Wolfsburg and three days later in Yerevan, which were no longer as important from a sporting point of view, after the World Cup qualification ended in October, should therefore not be used for large-scale experiments. The success of the farewell to world champion coach Joachim Löw before kick-off against Liechtenstein should be followed by as many goals as possible in the 90 minutes of play.
“At the moment I have to say that I am very satisfied with the team,” Flick said after five wins in five games with the World Cup ticket in his pocket. It is unlikely that he will not nominate his top performers, especially from the strong Bayern block around captain Manuel Neuer and Kimmich, just to do the clubs a dead man at this phase of the season. Flick is building an axle with Fernblick WM 2022. Every game helps.
The last ailing Chelsea striker Timo Werner, whom Flick has been strengthening since taking office, will probably be missing. Emre Can and Lukas Klostermann are injured. Possible debutants include Nmecha (22), whom Flick observed during the week in the Champions League when he scored against Salzburg, as well as Jonathan Burkardt (21). According to “Kicker”, the Mainz player should help secure the European Championship ticket for the U21 selection. The jump to the senior team could follow later.
Flick is building an axle for the 2022 World Cup
It will be exciting to see whether Mats Hummels will return to the national team. A nomination of the 32-year-old BVB professional for the October Games was out of the question due to fitness reasons. Now the 2014 world champion would basically be ready. “I’ll be there when I’m needed,” said Hummels at the beginning of the week before the Champions League game against Ajax Amsterdam ended prematurely on Wednesday evening after Hummels received a red card.
In central defense, Flick relies on the regained Bayern professional Niklas Süle (26) and Champions League winner Antonio Rüdiger (28). The defense is eminently important for Flick’s offensive system, which should also withstand attacks from major opponents in the coming year.
“It’s a fine line what you do,” said Flick, referring to the selection of staff and the international line-up. “Now let’s analyze everything and then see how the games are going in the clubs and who we can possibly add.”
In return, the national coach and his assistants have been and are on the road a lot in the Bundesliga and European competitions. After the nomination, Flick, his assistants Danny Röhl and Marcus Sorg and special coach Mads Buttgereit will watch Hertha BSC’s game against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday in Berlin.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211104-99-865260 / 2