Ahead of the Nations League game against Hungary on Friday evening, Hansi Flick no longer has free options after being sidelined due to illness. Sky looked at the initial establishment expected to be the national coach.
It is Hansi Flick’s 14th game as coach of the German national team: on Friday evening at 20:45, the men’s team of the DFB will welcome Hungary in Leipzig for the fifth day of the Nations League. Before the World Cup in Qatar, the national coach did not have much opportunity to clarify who the 57-year-old wants to take him to the winter games.
The line of coaches will be interesting to watch for many reasons, but who is suitable for Flick?
After the recent corona-related failure, the national coach could not fully draw. After the absence of Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will keep the goal of the German national team against Hungary. “We don’t have to keep it a secret,” Flick said on Thursday after the final training session in Frankfurt/Main.
Hofmann is a right winger?
The question of personnel in the defensive chain in front of ter Stegen, however, remains open. At BVB Nico Schlotterbeck has often favored Niklas Süle this season, Hansi Flick has used both equally so far. Jonas Hofmann, who is usually in the attack of Gladbach, has also been called as a right winger in the DFB team in the past and can also play this role against Hungary.
Antonio Rüdiger and David Raum, on the other hand, are considered as a set, with four other defenders in Matthias Ginter, Thilo Kehrer, Benjamin Henrichs and DFB debutant Armel Bella-Kotchap creating strong competition.
Spoiled for options in midfield
The decision for the national coach in the midfield is no less difficult. As Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gündogan strengthen the new season in the Premier League, Flick also has Bayern legionnaires Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sane to choose from.
Leon Goretzka and Marco Reus are not there with Hungary, but in all probability will make the decision for Flick in midfield very difficult in the World Cup.
Hansi Flick has only the front without many options. As a trained striker, the national coach may only have Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha available and can think about Serge Gnabry. However, Werner is considered a clear candidate for the starting eleven.
Captain replacement is still open
Flick left it open who will lead the DFB selection in Leipzig to replace Neuer as captain, so as not to look too closely at the cards when lining up. “Whoever has the most caps and is on the field,” Flick said. Thomas Müller (116 caps) would be a candidate “if he plays,” as Flick noted.
For the 422-time Bundesliga player, however, young Musiala may be in the starting line-up. The 19-year-old has presented himself in gala form so far this season and has scored 5 points in his 6 Bundesliga games for Bayern.
With wins against Hungary and England on Monday in London, the four-time world champions aim to qualify for the Nations League and reach the last four in 2023. “That would be a statement if we finish first in the group. Winning the group is our goal,” Flick said.
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Hansi Flick national coach in the Nations League.
Expected lines:
Germany: ter Stegen/FC Barcelona (30 years/28 international matches) – Hofmann/Borussia Mönchengladbach (30/14), Süle/Borussia Dortmund (27/40), Rüdiger/Real Madrid (29/53), Raum/RB Leipzig (24) . / 9) – Gundogan/Manchester City (31/60), Kimmich/Bayern Munich (27/68) – Havertz/FC Chelsea (23/28), Musiala/Bayern Munich (19/15), Sane/Bayern Munich (26) ) / 45) – Werner/RB Leipzig (26/53) – Coach: Flick
Hungary: Gulacsi/RB Leipzig (32/49) – Lang/Omonia Nicosia (29/51), Orban/RB Leipzig (29/33), Attila Szalai/Fenerbahce (24/27) – Fiola/FC Fehervar (32/48), Nagy/AC Pisa (27/63), Styles/FC Millwall (22/6), Kerkez/AT Alkmaar (18/0) – Szoboszlai/RB Leipzig (21/24), Gazdag/Philadelphia Union (26/15) – Adam Szalai/FC Basel (34/84) – Coach: Rossi
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
SID
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