DFB team in the individual review: Hansi (Flick) is not a lightning healer either

Friday, September 3rd, 2021

DFB team in the individual review
Hansi (Flick) is not a lightning healer either

By Tobias Nordmann

The game against Liechtenstein is a special one for Hansi Flick. It is his debut as a national coach. Otherwise remarkably little changes. The 2-0 win against the football dwarf Liechtenstein leaves a lot of room for improvement. After all, Leroy Sané can gain confidence.

Football fun doesn’t fall from the sky – not even with Hansi Flick: A good two months after the big disappointment in the European Championship, the national team missed the scheduled goal festival at the tough international premiere of the new national coach. Against the defensive bulwark of the great outsider Liechtenstein, the DFB-Elf did not get beyond a thin 2-0 (1-0) in the World Cup qualification despite 90 minutes of continuous attack. Our individual review:

Bernd Leno: Leno? Bernd Leno? Where was Manuel Neuer? The man always wants to play! Don’t worry, no revolution. The captain was injured and that’s why the Arsenal keeper played. And he could actually have left the goalkeeper gloves in the cabin in his ninth international match. Didn’t have to hold anything. Had 15 very short ball contacts. In the end, a free kick rushed through his penalty area. He didn’t have to endure more excitement personally.

Ridle Baku: In the second international match, the young Wolfsburg player made a rough appearance on the right. Ball losses, imprecise passes and crosses, that was (still) nothing. That he will become the man who will solve the problems in the problem position after Joshua Kimmich returned to midfield, well, maybe the pressure was a little too great?

Thilo Kehrer: At the DFB comeback after a year, the PSG professional could not be evaluated. Not required in core business as a central defender. During the build-up he played a couple of dynamic passes from the center onto the flanks. However, these were not legendary passes. His positional play was good, but it wasn’t put to the test either.

Niklas Süle: In the rare duels with Aron Sele, who is almost two heads shorter, he was almost always the winner. On the eve of his 26th birthday, the Munich player was more of an attacking midfielder due to a lack of defensive duties. Cranked up with. Had a lot of ball contacts, much more than cross passes he couldn’t think of. Hammered on goal in the middle of the second half. Talking about the result is not worthwhile.

Robin Gosens: Was almost an outside striker despite the switch to the four-man defense chain. As with his eye-catching EM with a lot of forward thrust. Good header chance (18th), blocked shot (68th), template to make it 2-0 – injured in the end. The DFB team had to continue playing with ten men.

İlkay Gündoğan: Played something surprising instead of Leon Goretzka at Kimmich’s side. Initiated many attacks and often came to an end itself. The Man City professional shot from all angles, sometimes past, sometimes held, sometimes blocked. In the 50th international match he was without a jubilee luck. Can do more. But it is not exclusive. This applies to almost everyone on the German team.

Joshua Kimmich: Got the captain’s armband from the spared Manuel Neuer. As usual, he was strong in a duel and had a good ball. The new midfield boss also verbally urged his teammates on. But neither did he come up with ingenious ideas. His chipball in the middle of the first half was very nice. You know that from him. But beautiful is not always successful or dangerous.

Jamal Musiala: Started nervously on his starting XI debut, but prepared Werner’s opening goal with a fine dribble. It was the door opener on the Flick debut. The exceptional talent then played with significantly more self-confidence. The lithe man from Munich wriggled around the opponent again and again. Incidentally, he was the youngest starting XI debutant since Uwe Seeler in 1957.

Kai Havertz: The Champions League winner came up as a ten, not as a central striker. That was surprising. In the headquarters he had too few ideas to crack the opponent’s multi-legged defense. In the narrow defensive wall of the enemy, he looked in vain for rooms. An inconspicuous 60-minute appearance by the Chelsea professional.

Leroy Sané: Got the starting eleven chance for self-promotion – but used it late. At first he often got stuck in one-on-one and got a tunnel as the maximum penalty (21st). Increased after the break and rewarded himself with the goal to make it 2-0. The Munich tried a lot. Offered, dribbled, even beheaded (64th). Some things failed – his hit after turning was great (77th).

Timo Werner: The goalkeeper held his first shot (7th). After Musiala’s great preparatory work, the center forward met deliberately: 17th international goal. However, the role as a striker was not for him, he could not show his speed in a confined space. Only had four (!) Ball contacts after 30 minutes. When he could play his pace, he had good moments.

Jonas Hofmann: Came in the middle of the second half, had a lot of space and used it for cross runs. Good appearance.

Marco Reus: Got 30 minutes from Flick in his first international match in almost two years. Blended in well, hit the outside netting. In the final stages he was even the captain.

Serge Gnabry: The man from Munich replaced Havertz after an hour. He couldn’t find the gap in the penalty area. Goretzka missed a sharp corner from him.

Leon Goretzka: Was on the pitch for almost 20 minutes – without attracting much attention. At least involved in the preparation of the 2-0.

Florian Wirtz: Replaced Kimmich in the 82nd minute. What is there to say to him? Well, he’s the first Flick debutante.