EThere will be no outburst of anger like Rudi Völler’s from Hansi Flick on the volcanic island of Iceland. The memory of the legendary rant speech of his predecessor in the draughty Laugardalsvöllur stadium brought the new national coach and his boss Leon Goretzka before the golden anniversary of the national soccer team in the World Cup qualification on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker World Cup qualification and RTL) in Reykjavik but still to smile after almost exactly 18 years.
“We should see to it that Hansi does not end up in a similar situation after the game,” said Goretzka on Tuesday just before the departure of the DFB team for the North Atlantic, rather for fun. The 26-year-old Bayern professional said he had already watched the video with the Völler tirade from September 2003, ironically described as “rosy times”, to amusement.
0-0, a lousy performance, a bad mood and then the acidic TV criticism from Günter Netzer, Gerhard Delling and Waldemar Hartmann brought team boss Völler into a rage – the complete contrast to the six-goal fun against Armenia just now refreshed good mood with the national team. “No, that’s inconceivable,” said Flick about the risk of recurrence. After all, this time “der Lothar” (Matthäus) was also there as a TV expert, said Flick with a wink.
“Focus only on three points”
Even the rain in Reykjavik makes short breaks for Flick. Before the 100th World Cup qualification game of the DFB-Elf since 1934, the last remnants of Hurricane Ida disappeared. “We have adjusted to the weather that it is not that good,” said the national coach about the autumn freshness below ten degrees Celsius. The mood doesn’t feel like a low pressure area anyway.
The first place in the group on the way to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been regained. The embarrassment in the 1: 2 against North Macedonia in March under Joachim Löw as only one of three defeats in the long history of qualification is compensated. For the nine-point plan proclaimed by Flick from his first three-pack, only the final step is missing after the victories against Liechtenstein (2: 0) and Armenia (6: 0). The remaining fear of seeing the World Cup participation in Qatar in 2022 in danger after the EM disappointment has been dispelled.
“For us it is important that we win this game, so the whole focus is on getting these three points,” said Flick before taking off from the high-pressure area of Herlinde, warm in summer, in the direction of Keflavik on Iceland’s southern West tip.
Not on the plane were BVB captain Marco Reus, who is unfit for action due to slight knee problems, and right-back Ridle Baku from VfL Wolfsburg, who, as the 24th player in the squad, would have only sat in the stands in Reykjavik according to FIFA regulations.
As a right-back, Flick has the choice between Jonas Hofmann and Thilo Kehrer and Lukas Klostermann, who has not yet been considered. And for Reus, too, there is a replacement in the offensive center in terms of quantity and quality. Ilkay Gündogan, whom Goretzka brought into play first, who was fit again after a mild flu, Kai Havertz or youngster Jamal Musiala could join the starting team. Robin Gosens is available again as a left defender after his capsule injury from the Liechtenstein game.
Iceland, which thrilled the continent with fresh football and great fans at the 2016 European Championship, is in a deep moral and sporting crisis. Allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by national players brought the association top down because of the cover-up allegation. In the current qualifying round, they are in fifth place with four points, a long way from participating in Qatar.
Nevertheless, it could be tough against the strong, physically robust team for the again accurate German turbo storm around Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner. “We will have to find solutions on the ground,” said Goretzka. Seeing and opening spaces will be his special task – as has been brilliantly practiced against Armenia.
After the first eleven days with Flick as boss in the DFB orbit, it will also be a matter of concentration. Immediately after the Iceland game, it’s back to the clubs. The strong Bayern block with very likely six starting eleven candidates will have to play in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig on Saturday, then it will go to FC Barcelona in the Champions League. But Goretzka does not want to think about a voltage drop. “Confirm! The performance from the last game. That is the ultimate goal, ”he made the target against the Icelanders clear. Flick is supposed to go to the TV interview in a good mood after the game.
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