Women’s National Team
Problem areas and power positions: DFB team in check
National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (l) relies on Lena Oberdorf in defensive midfield. photo
© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Is the women’s national team really ready for the world title? National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg still has some problems in filling her recently vulnerable selection.
The German soccer players are looking for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are still in top form.
The team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg starts the tournament on July 24 in Melbourne against Morocco (10.30 a.m. CEST/ZDF). The other opponents in Group H are Colombia on July 30 (11:30 a.m. CEST/ARD) in Sydney and South Korea on August 3 (12:00 p.m. CEST/ZDF) in Brisbane.
The German Press Agency does the team check after the disappointing friendlies against Vietnam (2:1) and Zambia (2:3).
Goal
The European runners-up are in the best position in this position: regular keeper Merle Frohms from VfL Wolfsburg is undisputed and has been in top form for months. Her deputy Ann-Katrin Berger from Chelsea FC is also considered a world-class goalkeeper. Stina Johannes from Frankfurt can learn a lot from the two as number 3.
home defence
The experienced Wolfsburg women Kathrin Hendrich (31) and Marina Hegering (33) are seeded, but in contrast to the European Championship, they did not convince recently. Hegering also suffered a bruise in the friendly loss to Zambia, when the duo were repeatedly overrun. Future Chelsea player Sjoeke Nüsken, who can also play in midfield, and her former Frankfurt team-mate Sara Doorsoun are available as backup.
external defence
German women have had a problem against fast wingers for a long time. The problem area is the right side: After Bayern ace Giulia Gwinn suffered another cruciate ligament rupture, Frankfurt’s Sophia Kleinherne was the first contender for this post. Voss-Tecklenburg doesn’t seem convinced – against Zambia she suddenly pulled winger Svenja Huth back on the defensive. On the left, Felicitas Rauch (Wolfsburg) has no alternative – especially since Munich’s Carolin Simon fell out of the squad injured at short notice.
Defensive Midfield
Stands and falls with Lena Oberdorf: The 21-year-old is considered a consistent clearer and can also hit opening passes. Not only for the national coach, the Wolfsburg player is one of the best in the world on the six – and perhaps the least replaceable of all her players. However, Oberdorf travels to Australia with a muscle injury. That’s one of the reasons why Freiburg’s Janina Minge was the 24th player in the 23rd squad to be included in the travel entourage. But Lena Lattwein from Wolfsburg and Melanie Leupolz from Chelsea could also replace Oberdorf.
Attacking midfield
Lina Magull from FC Bayern and Sara Däbritz from Olympique Lyon are considered set. Captain Alexandra Popp is in demand as a striker and goalscorer, but has moved back into midfield in the past. Despite a lot of ball possession, the playmakers have rarely found the decisive gaps in the opposing defense. Sydney Lohmann could be a promising alternative with her power.
attack
The high hopes are pinned on the European Championship star and Bundesliga goal scorer Popp – a leader, accurate on the mark and strong in the air. Munich’s Lea Schüller, “Footballer of the Year” 2022, is considered the first representative. Since the national coach prefers a 4-3-3 system, two attacking tips at the same time are not planned. Klara Bühl and Jule Brand should put pressure on the outside. Substitute striker Laura Freigang, who has all the freedom on the offensive in Frankfurt, is still looking for her position in the DFB team.