2023-06-17 09:31:43
For Germany’s national soccer team, the path towards the home European Championship in the coming year will continue to be paved with setbacks. After the 0: 1 in the test against a staid Polish team, Hansi Flick was left with only optimism and perseverance slogans in the ongoing rebuilding. “I’m very confident about our path,” said the German team boss. “We will have a functioning team next June.”
Poland star Robert Lewandowski encouraged the Germans in their generation change. “Germany still has time until the European Championships. You have to be patient. Germany will play better,” said the goalscorer, who was substituted in Warsaw at the break. “Germany had a lot of clear chances in the second half. We were a bit lucky.” But Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior’s goal in the 31st minute from a corner kick and a strong goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny were enough for the much more experienced Poles to win.
Last but not least, three games at the end of a long season are a “big challenge for all players”, said Lewandowski in view of the DFB planning with three international matches in June. After the 3:3 against Ukraine and the 0:1 in Poland, Germany’s media landscape spoke before the final match in Gelsenkirchen against Colombia of an eminently important test for the EM mood.
Three games without a win in a row, only four wins from the past 15 games – the most recent record under Flick is far from being used to pull the nation along a year before the home European Championship. Flick said he could understand the criticism and the skepticism before returning to the phrases “phases” and “processes”. “We have to fight and win.” Preferably against Colombia, of course. “In the process we’re in right now, a win is very, very important because there’s just trust and then there’s a bit of calm.”
“We lost, that’s bitter,” admitted defender Antonio Rüdiger. “The result doesn’t reflect how the game went. They have a chance and they score. Unfortunately, we just need a little more.” Joshua Kimmich, acting as captain, said that “of course” the coach is responsible for line-up, tactics and approach. “But in the end we are players on the pitch and we have to fill that with life.” The Bayern professional does not see a coaching discussion. The team is behind Flick.
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