NAfter Captain Manuel Neuer’s absence due to Corona, Marc-André ter Stegen will be in goal for the German national team in the Nations League game against Hungary in Leipzig on Friday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on ZDF). He “doesn’t have to make a secret of it,” said national coach Hansi Flick this Thursday after the final training session, which took place in Frankfurt am Main on the DFB campus in the Niederrad district.
The 30-year-old FC Barcelona goalkeeper is “number two” behind Neuer, who, like his Bayern team-mate Leon Goretzka, left the DFB quarters on Wednesday after a positive test. Both will now miss the games against Hungary and three days later in London against England (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on RTL).
The national coach thinks particularly of the upcoming World Cup when it comes to Corona. “That can also affect us in Qatar,” said the 57-year-old Flick with regard to the corona problem with a view to the tournament in November and December: “We have to react to it and deal with the situation as best we can. Maybe we have to consciously reduce contacts again, ”said Flick after the final training session.
However, the 57-year-old admitted that it was not easy how to behave. “You travel a lot too. Life should also go on,” said Flick: “So we have to see that we keep it under control.”
Jamal Musiala from Munich is fit again after suffering a laceration on his leg during training on Tuesday. Flick gave two goals for the games against Hungary and three days later in London against England. He is aiming for group victory in the Nations League, which would definitely be secured with two wins. “That would be a statement,” said the national coach. In addition, you want to warm up for the World Cup.
If the national team loses against Hungary, the path to group victory and the Final Four 2023 is blocked. The Hungarians have hit the German national team twice recently: they drew 2-2 at the European Championship last year, and the first leg in June ended happily 1-1. “They are very closed, everyone runs for each other,” said striker Timo Werner.
