World Cup 2022, national team: The big losers from Flick’s nomination

Status: 1:46 p.m| Reading time: 3 minutes

Dhe DFB did without the really big show. 13 days before the first game at the World Cup in Qatar against Japan on November 23, Hansi Flick announced the squad for the national team for the World Cup. There are two debutants: Dortmund’s youngster Youssoufa Moukoko (17 years old) and Bremen’s Niclas Füllkrug, currently the top German goalscorer in the Bundesliga. Also after several years of DFB break Mario Götze (Eintracht Frankfurt) and the 20-year-old defender Armel Bella-Kotchap from FC Southampton.

Overall, Flick deleted 29 players from the provisional squad, which he had to report to Fifa. Among them are some prominent names who could hope for a World Cup participation. In goal, Bernd Leno from FC Fulham and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann were at a disadvantage. They couldn’t get past the trio of Manuel Neuer, Kevin Trapp and Marc-André ter Stegen. They also fell victim to Flick’s decision to nominate a trio. There had been considerations to take four goalkeepers.

On the defensive, the most prominent victim of the nomination is Mats Hummels. The 2014 World Champion has regained his former strength at BVB this season and is currently in good form. Nevertheless, Flick did not take into account the 33-year-old, who had made his last international match in the round of 16 of the EM 2020. “We watched a lot of Mats’ games. He’s in great shape and in great shape. He is a very valuable player for BVB. Because we also have an eye on the future, we decided on a younger player. Of course Mats was disappointed,” said Flick. Among others, Hummels was at a disadvantage compared to his BVB colleagues Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle.

Hummels responded openly and honestly to the news, calling it “one of the bigger disappointments of my career.” He keeps his fingers crossed for the team at the World Cup: “I’ll use the time to react to such an experience with hard work, as I always do.”

Wirtz lacks the fitness and match practice

In addition to Hummels, Robin Goosens, who was a regular on the left side of defense at the last European Championship, is also missing in defence. But the 28-year-old is out of shape and only a backup player at Inter Milan. Instead of Gosens, Flick chose David Raum from Leipzig and Freiburg’s Christian Günter. The defensive players Benjamin Henrichs (Leipzig), Robin Koch (Leeds) and Jonathan Tah (Leverkusen) also have to stay at home.

Flick’s injuries thwarted the plan on the offensive. Florian Wirtz, who suffered a cruciate ligament rupture last March, will not be fit in time for the World Cup. Although the Leverkusen player has returned to training, Flick decided against nominating the 19-year-old young star.

Marco Reus will also not travel to Qatar because of a foot injury. Flick was particularly hurt by the non-nomination of the Dortmund captain. “It just hurts us because we can make good use of his quality,” said Flick: “I’ve often said how much I appreciate him as a footballer. With his gift, which he has in the last third, he is good for every team. We will miss him.” Flick doubted that Reus could help the team in Qatar: “That’s why we had to decide whether to take the risk or not.”

Reus missed a major tournament for the third time in his career due to injury. He had also voluntarily renounced the EM 2021.

Reus’ teammate Emre Can will not take part in the World Cup either. The competition in the defensive midfield position with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Ilkay Gündogan was simply too great. The same applies to Maximilian Arnold from VfL Wolfsburg, who has hopes of a nomination.