Soccer - EM "huge topic" for DFB captain Alexandra Pope

Wolfsburg (AP) — In 2016, Olympic gold hung around Alexandra Pope’s neck. In 2019, as the captain of the German national football team, he experienced a bitter defeat in the World Cup quarter-final against Sweden.

The 30-year-old is expected to be back on the pitch by VfL Wolfsburg soon for the European Championships in England in July, after a mandatory break of more than six months?

“I look at it all very optimistically and very positively. I am already at a very good level and still have six months to be 100 percent absolutely fit – ideally, of course, before that, ‘ said the two-time German. Football Player of the Year” about his chances at the European Championship on Wednesday. “Basically, I’m happy to be healthy.”

return to the Bundesliga soon

Pope has not played a match since May 2021 because of torn cartilage in his knee cap. In early December, 111 select players returned to team training. She could return to the Bundesliga on January 29 in a catch-up game for Wolfsburg at Turbine Potsdam. The six-time German champion said she is still “in the process of finding some weight, but basically I feel great.”

German Press national coach Martina Vos-Tecklenburg said: “We are delighted that Poppy is back on the pitch after his serious injury. We have always said that he should take his time and not put himself under pressure – this still applies.” agency. “As a player and a personality, he is extremely important to our team on and off the field. Of course we are keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes according to plan.”

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Theoretically, Pope could already return to the national team at the Four Nations tournament in England in February. There, the DFB will take on selection strongmen Spain, Olympic champions Canada and the hosts. These Games should provide information about where Germany stands internationally after the Summer Games in Tokyo. Spain, Denmark and Finland are also rivals in the opening round of the European Championships in England in July.

EM participation as a bigger goal

Pope missed the 2013 and 2016 European Championships due to injury: England would be his first European Championship. “The European Championship is a huge topic for me. It was clear that I would accept the challenge. It’s still on my CV, it’s a goal for me,” said the versatile model player. “But for now, the focus is on VfL Wolfsburg.” As captain, she was always very close to the teams during their injury breaks, both in the DFB selection and in the VFL.

Of his position at Wolfsburg, Pope smiled, “I don’t think I’ve lost my stand on the team in the seven months I wasn’t on the pitch.” Squad. That doesn’t automatically mean that if I can walk three meters on the pitch, I’ll be back in the starting XI immediately.”