National team
Flick appoints Süle and newcomer Groß – Goretzka is missing
Is surprisingly in the squad of national coach Hansi Flick: Pascal Groß. photo
© Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/dpa
Hansi Flick’s first squad of the EM season is a statement. He is eliminating established forces. A 32-year-old is new.
The national coach who is under great pressure to succeed Hansi Flick sets clear personal signals at the start of the season with the home European Championship as the highlight.
Established players such as Leon Goretzka from Munich, Timo Werner and David Raum from Leipzig and the defender Matthias Ginter from SC Freiburg or England legionnaire Thilo Kehrer. “It’s not final,” said Flick about his decision with a view to the future. He now wants to see “reactions”.
Surprising newcomer from England
In addition to the expected returnee Niklas Süle, attacking midfielder Pascal Groß from English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion is also surprisingly a newcomer to the 24-player squad. The 32-year-old former Bundesliga professional is now playing his seventh season in the Premier League and has prepared ten goals in the past season, Flick explained. “We’re looking forward to him. He’s really happy too. We’ll also get to see a good guy,” said Flick.
Flick certified the Dortmunder Süle “a good reaction” after the non-consideration in the last international matches in June. There is still no comeback from Bayern veteran Thomas Müller in the national team.
When putting together the squad, Flick reacted to “the disappointing results” of the DFB selection that has now been without a win for four games. “In addition to the quality and performance of the players, one point was important: their behavior, their attitude and, above all, who gives the team energy?”
The team is in the focus towards the home EM 2024 and not the individual. “Everyone should and must put their ego behind. The team is the star and not the individual,” said Flick. Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who is still injured, should join the DFB team a little later and be available for the second game against France. “It’s important that we play well and achieve good results,” said Flick.
The squad:
Goal: Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt), Oliver Baumann (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
Defense: Robin Gosens (Union Berlin), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Malick Thiaw (AC Milan), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund). ), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfield and attack: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen), Ilkay Gündogan (FC Barcelona), Kai Havertz (FC Arsenal), Jonas Hofmann (Bayer Leverkusen), Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané ( FC Bayern Munich), Kevin Schade (FC Brentford), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Serge Gnabry (FC Bayern Munich), Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion)