They are there for the first time and should also get playing time: Hansi Flick has promised all six national team newcomers an international appearance.
“That’s our plan. We’ll have to wait and see what the training impressions are like. We are curious what we will see“said the national coach at a press conference in Frankfurt. Flick had called up half a dozen players without experience in the A-Elf for the national soccer team’s first test games this year on Saturday against Peru and three days later against Belgium, and at the same time many tried and tested forces.
“We recognize potential”
“It’s extremely important for us to have a broad squad“, emphasized Flick with a view to the home EM 2024. He wants to see, “who could have the potential to be at the euro“, said the 58-year-old. Josha Vagnoman, Marius Wolf, Felix Nmecha, Malick Thiaw, Mergim Berisha and Kevin Schade were deliberately chosen, “because we recognize potential“Flick emphasized.
The national coach also defended the break for several established players such as Thomas Müller, Ilkay Gündogan, Leroy Sané and Niklas Süle: “You could have taken all the players with you, they would have liked to have been there too.” But: “They would not have been given the opportunity to play.“
Gnabry statt Sané
Flick was mainly asked about Sané not being taken into account. “The big season finale is coming up, but it’s also important for us that the players don’t just train, but play. Not all of us had that opportunity‘ said the coach somewhat evasively.
You have to make decisions in life, added the national coach, “we chose Serge Gnabry“. The Munich offensive player is in contrast to his club colleague Sané in the squad.
Hummels and Reus currently play no role
BVB professionals Mats Hummels and Marco Reus do not play a role in Flick’s current plans for the home European Championship in just over a year. On the other hand, the national coach missed his club colleague Julian Brandt at the first international matches of the national soccer team this year.
“When I see Dortmund, I’m most sorry that Julian Brandt isn’t there. He made the biggest development in the last few weeks before his injury. He played outstandingly, so we would have liked to have had him there because he could have performed for us and given us added value“Said Flick about the 26-year-old offensive player.
Moukoko and Adeyemi are injured
Brandt had performed well at the beginning of the year, but missed the friendly against Peru in Mainz on Saturday and Belgium against Belgium three days later because of a torn muscle fiber. His teammates Youssoufa Moukoko (18) and Karim Adeyemi (21) are also unable to attend the DFB-Elf’s start of the year due to injuries. Reus (33) and Hummels (34), on the other hand, did not receive an invitation from Flick, as they did for the World Cup.
Returnees Emre Can (29) and newcomer Marius Wolf (27) also received special praise. “I think both players are responsible for Dortmund being where they are at the top of the table. Both are, as far as the defense is concerned, a support for Dortmund“, emphasized Flick. It’s fun to watch the defensive winger Wolf.
Game against Peru sold out
Despite the recent World Cup disappointment, interest in the German national team is great. The international match of the DFB selection on Saturday in Mainz against Peru is sold out with around 25,000 spectators.
The course of getting closer to the fans is to be continued. According to DFB sports director Rudi Völler, there should now be public training every week of international matches if possible. The closer exchange with the U21 juniors should also be promoted. On Tuesday, A-Team and Juniors will have dinner together.
