Wednesday March 31, 2021
Werner becomes a big topic
Löw is playing around his sensational series
Two victories do not make Joachim Löw completely happy. Before the last World Cup qualifier of his long time as national coach, he sharpened the concentration of Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Co. The game against North Macedonia is important for the mood up to the European Championship.
Marc-André ter Stegen gets another international match. Joachim Löw was already aware of this the day before the duel in the World Cup qualification on this Wednesday evening with North Macedonia (from 8.15 p.m. on RTL and in the live ticker on ntv.de) set. Now you don’t have to make a big deal out of this. A top goalkeeper can prove himself again, sounds very sensible.
But things get a little bigger because Neuer doesn’t like it so much when he’s not allowed to play. In the DFB team this was not an issue for a long time, at FC Bayern it is permanent, also because the advisor to his competitor Alexander Nübel is increasing the pressure for more games and is even forcing a temporary exit on loan. Now Neuer will probably accept the national coach’s decision without complaint. Because he knows that this decision will not change his status of the invulnerable.
Timo Werner is surprised
Striker Timo Werner has always enjoyed this appreciation in recent years. As a member of the (almost) legendary moped gang around Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry, the 25-year-old was the fastest of the fastest. And always to have a hit. He has (temporarily) lost this quality at the club, at Chelsea. That’s one of the reasons why he only sat on the bench in the two games against Iceland (3-0) and Romania (1-0) – while his London team-mate Kai Havertz celebrated a small resurrection.
Werner, as reported by “Bild”, is said to have been amazed at the transformation from the regular force to the wild card. Well, in order not to let this thing get bigger than it is, a quick reintegration of the striker into Germany’s first team seems quite possible. Maybe for Leroy Sané, who like Leon Goretzka was last hit. Loew also wants to play a large part again with the team against North Macedonia, which has just won two sovereign victories on the way to the controversial World Cup in Qatar in 2022. But large parts at least leave room for small changes.
Meanwhile, this surprising rigor in dealing with personnel decisions need not surprise anyone. Because the national coach had made it a topic for the preparation of his final mission. Last year’s “consideration for the overall situation” was over, he said before the games against Iceland (3-0) and Romania (1-0). For the “maximum” success, Löw sets the national team to the highest priority level in national sport. This means: high performers are no longer spared, axes should be formed, automatisms should be sharpened.
Guardiola as national coach? Gündogan thinks it’s good
And in order to retain sovereignty over Werner’s personality, Löw had already positioned himself flattering: “Timo is a very dangerous player who is incredibly fast. He also scored a lot of goals for us. Even if he didn’t start twice I know what he’s capable of. I’m very happy with Timo. He’ll obviously get his chance again. ” These are almost Guardiola’esque features: praise, but promise nothing. Speaking of Guardiola. What about the Spaniard as the new national coach? Well, Ilkay Gündogan, who has a successful relationship with Guardiola at Manchester City and was in a media panel like Löw this Wednesday, thought the idea was a good one: “Personally, I would take him right away.”
One of the footballers who have received an accolade from the outgoing King Joachim in the past few days was, above all, Emre Can from Dortmund. He had filled in the surprising plan of his superior as a left defender spectacularly. Dynamic in the game forward, as usual resolute in the work behind. As well as the Dortmund man filled it out, he made Löw a non-verbal offer for higher tasks.
What will happen to Robin Gosens?
Robin Gosens is a man who could take away his possible work assignment. The 26-year-old is less known in Germany, which is probably due to the fact that Atalanta Bergamo plays. In other words, a club that is more known to fans, although it has been terrifying the national and international elite for a while. Well, this Gosens is known in Bergamo for his power and dynamism. Löw appreciates that. A mission? Possible, but Löw sees it this way: Large parts … you know it.
Was there anything else? But, absolutely! The Federal Jogi will play their 192nd international match against North Macedonia. At the same time, the game is Löw’s 33rd and last game in a World Cup qualification. The record here is impressive: There were 29 wins and three draws before the finals in South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and now Qatar 2022. No game was lost. But well, it has never been (in German international history) against North Macedonia! And they have Goran Pandev! José Mourinho’s model student won the Champions League with Inter Milan against FC Bayern. Back then in goal: Hans-Jörg Butt.
So now you know.
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