Defensive problem: does Kimmich have to save Germany now?
Joshua Kimmich
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Hansi Flick is thinking about changes in the German defense. Joshua Kimmich as a right-back is and remains an option.
The German national team is very worried about the defensive. Now the thought game of pulling Joshua Kimmich into the back four is once again in focus.
For the opening game against Japan, Hansi Flick decided not to use a trained right-back. Niklas Süle took over, allowing Nico Schlotterbeck to move into central defense alongside Antonio Rüdiger.
An experiment that failed. While the 2-0 could well have been achieved on the offensive, the defense against the counterattack by the Japanese proved to be far too vulnerable. Schlotterbeck in particular seemed insecure and error-prone. Shortly after the 1:2 bankruptcy, as well as the day after, the voices calling for a change in the back four are getting louder.
The tenor: Süle would have to move into central defense alongside Rüdiger, with Schlotterbeck on the bench.
However, Flick didn’t really seem to put his trust in Thilo Kehrer, which is why he played without a real right-back. The best full-back in the squad for the right side is and remains Joshua Kimmich.
Kimmich as a right-back? Flick thinks about necessary changes
Accordingly, the question arises as to whether the national coach should at least consider putting the six in this position.
“You can assume that we will discuss every personal detail and every position. It is our job to set up the team in such a way that it is top-class against the respective opponent,” explained Flick on Thursday (via sky). He made it clear: Kimmich as a right-back is an issue.
Germany will not be able to afford to be so vulnerable in defense against Spain on Sunday.
In any case, you now have to “tweak the screws and try to do things better,” said the coach. On the defensive, “the compactness that we want could not be produced”. A change in which Kimmich could take a part would be a possible solution.
With regard to the duel with the Spaniards, it will be exciting to see whether Flick takes this comparatively radical step. He should also have good memories of a very similar maneuver with Philipp Lahm at the 2014 World Cup.
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This article was originally published on 90min.de as Defensive problem: does Kimmich have to save Germany now? released.