Nfter the unexpected assist from Costa Rica, which won against Germany’s winner Japan at noon, the second game of Hansi Flick’s selection is scheduled for this Sunday (8 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the soccer World Cup, on ZDF and on MagentaTV). Opponent is Spain. The national coach changes his starting XI in two positions compared to the 1: 2 against Japan. Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich and Thilo Kehrer from West Ham United are new to the team. Kai Havertz and Nico Schlotterbeck are initially sitting outside.
All 26 players in the squad are available to Flick, including Leroy Sané, who was missing against Japan with knee problems but initially took a seat on the bench. In addition to the staff, the German view before the game is mainly on the table. Due to Costa Rica’s coup against Japan, the selection of the German Football Association (DFB) cannot be eliminated this Sunday. Even if they lose to Spain, there is still a chance in the third game against Costa Rica. In this case, a German victory would have to come along with a loss for Japan against Spain. In the end, the goal difference decides on second place and entry into the round of 16.
After Japan and before Spain, there was much debate about the staff. Joshua Kimmich was the center of attention. Where is it more valuable? In defensive midfield? Or as a right-back? Christian Kamp analyzed the variants for the installation in the engine room of the German game.
Another view is less about the staff and more about the culture of the game. The Spaniards will do what they always do against the DFB selection: pass, pass, pass – because that is their game culture. Germany urgently needs one of these, comments Christopher Meltzer.
Two who stand for it are still quite young. Spaniards Pedri and Gavi are the heart and brains of Luis Enrique’s side, who beat Costa Rica 7-0 in their first game. The two youngsters are amazingly reminiscent of another formative duo – and have another gift, as Sebastian Stier writes.
The national team is looking for the first points in this tournament. The balance of the past few years is far from successful times. Where is the success code? And what’s it called? Students from Cologne are also trying to find out on behalf of the DFB team. In his text, Daniel Theweleit describes how this should work.
As with the 2018 World Cup, the DFB leadership lost track of how to deal with a political conflict. She didn’t learn from damage. The national team has to bear the consequences. Michael Horeni’s comment once again sheds light on the debates that are currently taking place outside of sport – and which still have an impact on sport.
Moritz Rinke’s World Cup column is also about the “One Love” captain’s armband. Lutz Pfannenstiel deals with the question of what is necessary against Spain. His result: no love! Christian Eichler is also making discoveries at the World Cup and asks: do we have to beg for good football?
And how does the game end? The World Cup prognosis by Daniel Memmert and Fabian Wunderlich sees better chances for Spain. Objective lessons on how to win a game that you’d rather not lose were provided by the Argentines on Saturday. The focus was on the big star of the team: Lionel Messi. Tobias Rabe reports on someone who was there at the decisive moment and caused enormous emotions among all Argentines in the 2-0 win against Mexico.
