Jule Brand was about to deliver another scene that the national coach could later have used as an example. Brand was only a few minutes on the pitch in the World Cup qualifier against Portugal on Tuesday evening, when she ran with big steps along the side and promptly had her first promising offensive action. And even if the next goal did not jump out in the 3-1 win, the 19-year-old still contributed to Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s satisfaction: Brand had met expectations with her attack vortex and fitted into the overall picture.
This last international match of the year turned out to be a kind of summary of the tasks that the German national women’s football team set and partly completed for 2021, the progress and the knowledge gained. And at the same time it showed some construction sites, of which it is not clear how long and how intensively they will keep the team busy on the way to the European Championships in England (July 6th to 31st).
In search of challenges, Portugal was the group opponent from which the DFB women had expected a lot. The Portuguese got in their way, sometimes uncomfortably and vehemently. Melanie Leupolz later spoke of many fouls, “the game was very disheveled, there was a lot of blood, each one has some kind of abrasion”. After an 8-0 win against Turkey last week and previous victories of 7-0 and 1-0 against Israel, 5-1 against Serbia and 7-0 against Bulgaria, the hosts put up a lot more resistance. At times the Germans became hectic and unrest spread under pressure. Which brought to light a construction site that could last be assumed to have been as good as closed. And it should have been more goals, the next recurring construction site: a lack of concentration and efficiency when closing.
How good the German defense is remains an unknown – until the corresponding opponents are on the field
So to what extent does this year provide information about where the German female soccer players stand in comparison with the world’s best? How well prepared can you feel for the 2022 European Championship and also for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – two tournaments in which titles are to be won again, but in view of your own demands must also be won?
2021 was a successful year with nine wins, one draw and two defeats. And in which the numbers of the World Cup qualification with 18 points and a goal balance of 31: 2 are brilliant. A year in which, with France (0: 1) and European champions Netherlands (1: 2), only two of their opponents could be counted among the world’s best nations. And in which, despite some offensive fireworks, there was a lack of ideas at the appearances. “It wasn’t all great, but it is important that we have a very good level in the team,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “We took really good steps as a team. There is still potential in every player, but I can also say with each individual that she has taken steps here and there.”
Without real highlights – the qualification for the Olympic Games in summer was missed – it was less about a fixed classification in the international football structure. The powerful opponents were simply missing. The focus was primarily on one’s own further development, and the transition year was seen as an opportunity. “As a team, we now really know how we want to play,” said the national coach. “The players know all their jobs. We have had many good moments offensively – and the defensive topic will automatically come to us.”
The extent of this construction site remains somewhat unknown, as the defense was not really challenged in either 2020 or 2021. It should come to this early in 2022: In February, the selection will take part in a tournament in England, in which, in addition to the EM host, Olympic champions Canada and EM group opponents Spain will compete. The caliber that is needed to determine your position.
No matter who is substituted on – nothing gets mixed up
Apart from how the set tasks were implemented, it of course played a role by whom. In Merle Frohms, a number one has established itself since Almuth Schult’s injury and baby break, which gives the team no less support than Schult. In addition, Voss-Tecklenburg pushed ahead with the integration of new players – with success: “There were a few surprises, a few young players that I didn’t think would take off like that.”
Jule Brand, with her amazing instinct, is one of them. The discoveries of the year also include Sjoeke Nüsken, Jana Feldkamp, Laura Freilang and Tabea Waßmuth. Everyone joined the ranks with leading players such as Sara Däbritz, Dzsenifer Marozsan or Svenja Huth and gave the impression that Martina Voss-Tecklenburg can replace whoever she wants – hardly anything gets mixed up: “We have really good quality , a lot of competition, a lot of pressure from outside. There is no self-image that someone plays. ” Under normal circumstances, this construction site is unlikely to arise in 2022.
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