2023-06-13 16:03:00
There is a different spirit of optimism: about a year before the opening game of the European Championship at home, the German national team is struggling to draw against Ukraine. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka also disappoint at 3: 3 in Bremen. National coach Hansi Flick has to solve a problem that FC Bayern should be familiar with.
The DFB team only averted the second defeat in the third appearance in 2023 in injury time. The 3: 3 against Ukraine revealed again that national coach Flick still has a lot of work to do twelve months before the start of the European Championship in his own country.
This certainly includes central midfield. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka from FC Bayern started here in the most recent friendly. Striking: While Kimmich oriented himself forward, Goretzka acted in the sixth position. However, the 28-year-old was not able to convince in this role (sport.de rating 5.0).
FC Bayern stars are not “vacuum cleaners”
Goretzka, who has been in poor form in recent months, only won 14 percent of his duels – a disappointing rate. The native of Bochum could not support the more than shaky line of defence. Goretzka rarely appeared offensively and was finally replaced by Jamal Musiala after 62 minutes.
It is questionable whether the tactical variant with Goretzka as a nominal clearer in front of the defensive chain has a future in the national team. After all, the Munich professional actually has his strengths as a so-called “box-to-box player”, i.e. in the game between the two penalty areas.
Club colleague Kimmich acts as a ball distributor, who can repeatedly cause danger with his chip passes behind the opposing defence. Both DFB stars are not classic “vacuum cleaners”. A circumstance that recently also caused a debate around FC Bayern.
BVB professional Can as “aggressive leader”
The Munich team is currently exploring the transfer market for a defensive midfielder. But what alternatives does Flick have in the national team?
The most obvious solution is Emre Can, who after a strong second half of the season for Borussia Dortmund is now an integral part of the DFB selection. In the international match against Belgium (2:3) last March, the BVB professional came on after a quick 0:2 deficit in the first half and then stabilized the game.
“He was, if you will, the aggressive leader that we needed,” Flick then praised the veteran in the “ARD” interview. It’s quite possible that Can will get his chance as an “aggressive leader” again in the two upcoming games against Poland (Friday, 8:45 p.m.) and Colombia (Tuesday, 8:45 p.m.).
Will the national team soon be an issue again?
Anton Stach could also become an issue in the national team again. The 24-year-old from 1. FSV Mainz 05 has already made two short appearances in the DFB team, but was recently no longer nominated by Flick.
Ilkay Gündogan, who led Manchester City to the treble as captain, is also in eighth position, like Kimmich and Goretzka.
Flick therefore has a tricky midfield puzzle to solve before the European Championships at home. The fact is: Time is running out until the opening game on June 14, 2024. Only results can provide self-confidence and fan euphoria.
Jannik Kube
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