20:30
Even if you had to tremble in front of almost every opponent in the national team, Liechtenstein should not be a stumbling block for the DFB. In four games against the football dwarf from Central Europe, Germany shot out a goal difference of 27: 3. The “closest” result was a 4-0 qualification for the 2010 World Cup. The Liechtensteiners haven’t broken much in this round either and after three games are bottom of the table with zero points and 1:10 goals.
20:23
One thing should be clear: After the sometimes unbearably lame performances in the last few years of the Löw era, there will be full throttle football again under Flick. Because that’s exactly what the 56-year-old stood for during his time with the German record champions. High pressing, intensive counter-pressing, fast switching play and high speed with the ball are part of Flick’s game philosophy. The coach was optimistic in the run-up to his mission. “The team is tearing itself apart for Germany. That is the be-all and end-all. I am very convinced of this team,” the new national coach made clear.
20:14
At the end of the last qualifier against North Macedonia at the end of March, they lost 2-1 at home. With six points after three games, Germany ranks third in Group J behind the Armenians and North Macedonia, which are still free of loss points. Panic is certainly not yet the order of the day in this more than feasible group, but after the last slip, results are needed so that it doesn’t end up being a tremendous game.
20:01
So not only the trainer is new, but also the staff on the pitch. Toni Kroos resigned from the national team after the European Championship. Thomas Müller is absent from the three upcoming qualifying games as well as due to injury, as is Mats Hummels. His Dortmund teammate Marco Reus is back, but ex-team-mate Mario Götze is not. Karim Adeyemi, David Raum and Nico Schlotterbeck, appointed by Flick, are new to the national team.
19:55
A look at the first line-up of the new national coach: Bernd Leno guards the goal for the injured Manuel Neuer, before Robin Gosens, Niklas Süle, Thilo Kehrer and Ridle Baku defend in a back four. The headquarters will be occupied by the new captain Joshua Kimmich and İlkay Gündoğan, before that Jamal Musiala will surprisingly act alongside Kai Havertz and Leroy Sané. At the very front, Timo Werner tries his hand at 4-2-3-1.
19:48
After 15 years of Jogi Löw, there is now a new guy on the sidelines. Although new is not entirely correct, because as an assistant coach, Hansi Flick already played a major role in the success of the Löw era. But now the former Bayern coach has the scepter in his own hands and should lead the national team back on the road to success after the embarrassing appearances at the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championship. Since there has not yet been a test match under the new coach, it comes in handy that Liechtenstein is facing an opponent who is unlikely to seriously challenge Germany.
19:47
Hello and welcome to the next World Cup qualifier for the German national team! In the first match under national coach Hansi Flick, the DFB selection will take on Liechtenstein at 8:45 p.m. in St. Gallen.