By Klaus Bergmann, dpa I Sunday, June 11, 2023
BERLIN – Germany coach Hansi Flick reiterated on Sunday that his players must be ready to go to their limit and beyond in order to play a good role at next year’s European championships which Germany host.
Flick had said in an interview in mid-week he was not satisfied with the attitude and dedication of defender Niklas Süle as he left him out of the squad for the games on Monday against Ukraine, on Friday in Poland and June 20 against Colombia.
Without mentioning Süle again, Flick told reporters on Sunday that he and his staff “expect that they [the players] can go over the limit and suffer a little bit.
“For us, every game is there to find the 11 that start on June 14 next year,” Flick said in reference to the tournament opener.
“In the preparations for the Euros it is important and a foundation that every single player is in top form. That’s what we expect. I lot is possiblle if then the fitness foundation is laid,” he added.
Germany are qualified directly as hosts and are only playing friendlies until the Euros.
They are coming off a 3-2 defeat against Belgium in which they were outplayed early on. Germany are also aiming to rebound from a group stage exit at last year’s World Cup.
The match against Ukraine is Germany’s 1,000th international, with Ukraine a deliberate choice as opponents in the wake of the Russian invasion and all proceeds to go to the war-torn country.
“We are playing against a country that is in a very difficult position, therefore it is a signal for us,” Flick said. “We are looking forward to this game.”
Striker Niclas Füllkrug, who will be in the starting 11 in his Bremen home stadium, said it was good to raise awareness again because people get used to easily to such situations and the war is no longer at the centre of attention more than 14 months after its start.
Füllkrug added “I would be happy if the lads from Ukraine also have a great game, a great day, and can enjoy it. They certainly also have other things on their mind.”
Not present Monday will be forward Timo Werner who remains sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained in last weekend’s German Cup final.
He is yet to train with the national team but hopes to be fit again for the other two games.
Also absent on Monday are Manchester City captain Ilkay Gündogan and Inter Milan’s Robin Gosens who contested the Champions League final on Saturday and are to join the squad on Wednesday.
