2023-06-11 14:42:19
It’s only a test, but a very special one. Germany’s national soccer team will play their 1,000th game against Ukraine on Monday (6:00 p.m.) in Bremen. International match since the premiere 115 years ago. On Sunday, team boss Hansi Flick reiterated his requirements for the kickers with a view to the home European Championship. “We expect them to be able to push the limit and sometimes suffer a bit,” said the 58-year-old.
After the World Cup debacle (lost in the group phase) and the recent 2:3 in the friendly against Belgium, Joshua Kimmich and Co. are challenged in the benefit game against Ukraine, which has been shaken by the Russian war of aggression. “For us, every international match is there to find the eleven that will start next year on June 14,” explained Flick. Then the home European Championship 2024 begins in Munich. On Friday, the DFB selection will visit Poland, followed by the game on June 20 in Gelsenkirchen against Colombia.
“When we’re preparing for the EURO, it’s important and the basis that every single player is in top form. That’s what we expect. Once the basis of fitness has been laid, a lot can be achieved,” said Flick, who can plan with all players with the exception of striker Timo Werner and the Champions League finalists Ilkay Gündogan and Robin Gosens. CL final winner Gündogan and loser Gosens will join the team on Wednesday. And Werner, who is plagued by an ankle injury, is hoping to play against Poland as well.
The biggest guarantor for goals is currently Niclas Füllkrug anyway. Before his home game at the Weser Stadium, the Werder Bremen striker has a top record of six goals in six international matches. No wonder Flick will trust him from the start against Ukraine, as the coach noted. “Niclas is someone who is good for a team that is moving forward,” said Flick, who teamed up the top scorer of the past Bundesliga season (16) with Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.
In the DFB balance sheet there are 578 wins, 207 draws and 214 defeats. 2250 goals were scored, 1174 goals conceded. The biggest win was 16-0 against Russia at the 1912 Olympic football tournament. The biggest loss was in 1909 when they lost 9-0 to England.
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