AMSTERDAM – When it came to the hot topic of the World Cup draw, Hansi Flick briefly put poker in the face and gave it to Mr. Cool.
This Friday (6:00 p.m.) the short trip to Qatar to attract three German group opponents, which exceed 30 degrees during the day, is unlikely to raise the national coach’s heart rate as much as an interim test . For the World Cup, which is very informative for the national coach. Tournament against arch rival Netherlands at times.
90 minutes of top-level football with 1-1, which everyone deemed appropriate, provided Flick with a good working base for the next national team meeting in June. “We look forward to games in the Nations League,” the 57-year-old said, referring to four matches against Italy (twice), England and Hungary within ten days.
World title target remains
The world title goal, which was declared aggressively by national coach and captain Manuel Neuer, was not damaged despite a broken winning streak under Flick in Amsterdam. Instead, it showcased existing potential in a squad that was missing many top performers such as Bayern quartet Kimmich, Goretzka, Sule and Gnabry at the start of the year. But Flick also addressed the shortcomings: the loss of the ball, the lack of calmness in critical stages, the wrong position.
Of course, this didn’t change anything about the overall impression of the flick: “It was a successful game.” nor sight. “German football has a tradition of success. We want to go back there,” the head coach announced, noting the early failure at the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 European Championship as the final stage of Joachim Lowe’s work.
After a change of clothes at home in Bammental, Flick left again on Thursday with a DFB delegation, led by Oliver Beyerhoff, to the World Cup host country, which is a six-hour flight away. Worried? stressful? Afraid too? None of them. After many years as a Löw assistant, Flick is a draw professional. “We just have to sit there, watch and then give our opinion on the group. We’ll see what’s coming and try to make the best of it,” he said.
DFB team in pot two
What Could Come Like Holland, four-time world champion Germany is in the second lottery pot. You can get to Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal or host Qatar from Pot One. A maximum of one European opponent can be drawn for a DFB team. Since three of the 32 World Cup participants have not yet been determined, it may also be that Flick knows only two of the three German preliminary round opponents after the ceremony.
German group can be challenging and famous – Brazil, Poland, Cameroon. Or sound like goodbye: Qatar, Canada, Tunisia. Flick made a promise in advance: “We will prepare well for the tasks that are given to us.”
In any case, Bonds coach Louis van Gaal quickly put Deutschland as one of the biggest contenders for the World Cup crown. “Germany is a top candidate for the World Cup title,” said the former Bayern coach, analyzing the Test match over coffee and biscuits before midnight: “We could not break free from the pressure of the Germans in the first half. But our second The half was great.”
«Just Fresh»
Flick previously sat on the podium in the press room and seemed more spirited after his first game as head coach after all eight victories against international lightweights. “Simply refreshing”, he found himself dominant in the first 60 minutes with an opening goal from Thomas Müller, who scored for the 43rd time in the national jersey and thus caught up with honorary captain Uwe Seeler in eighth.
“I know we have to get this performance in 90 minutes. But the intensity of the team was very high,” Flick summarized. “The direction is right,” said Mueller. Bayern colleague Neuer decided: “If you draw a line under it, we are on the right track. It was the first great team we played against – and it’s been good for a long time.”
But there was also a phase of losing control after the break with Steven Bergwijn’s equalizing goal (68th minute) and a duel between Thilo Kehrer and Memphis Depay after video evidence the penalty fortune was withdrawn. “It was a great game for the spectators. Overall, I’m very satisfied,” Flick said.
big winner musiyala
He carries with him a lot of knowledge from the first course in 2022. The big winner of the week was Jamal Musiala. The 19-year-old Bayern talent made himself “a substitute” in the crucial six-position with a bold appearance, as Flick put it: “Everyone saw what qualities he had.” Excessive praise verbally elevates the status of “Bambi”. “I’m doing fine. I’m on the right track,” said Musiala confidently.
U21 European champions Nico Schlotterbeck and David Raum, who could score 2–0, were also able to score points for World Cup tickets. “The squad is getting bigger,” Flick said happily. He defended the popular question about the status of the squad that had already been taken: “It’s still a long way to November. A lot can still happen.”
Cases of difficulty are indicated. “It makes it a little more difficult for us, but it’s good for the quality in the team,” Flick said. And even without a win.
