As of: November 29, 2024 2:58 p.m
The German women’s national team will be challenged in the third international match under new national coach Christian Wück this evening (8 p.m.) in Zurich. Against the Swiss it’s about finding the balance – between experimenting and building self-confidence.
by Kristoffer Klein
When you look out of the hotel window near downtown Zurich, the European Championships still seem very far away. But despite the unpleasant rainy weather, Christian Wück has a smile on his face when asked about his first big tournament with the DFB women next summer.
AUDIO: DFB women test the European Championship feeling in Switzerland (1 min)
“I’m really happy that we can now experience a bit of this ‘feeling’ of what will be going on here in Switzerland,” said the national coach before the duel with the European Championship hosts in the Letzigrund Stadium.
Wück sees a “needle eye” in defense
There are still a good seven months until the tournament starts (July 2nd to 27th, 2025). Seven months of time that Wück, his coaching team and his national players could put to good use. After the farewells of captain Alexandra Popp, defense chief Marina Hegering and long-time goalkeeper Merle Frohms at the end of October, the DFB team is still in a discovery phase.
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The national coach wants to build a group of 30 to 40 players from which he will then name the squad for the Nations League and, above all, the European Championship next year. “Unfortunately, we are still a long way from that number,” admits the 51-year-old. He sees a “needle eye” especially in defense.
In fact, there are currently only a few alternatives for experienced players like Giulia Gwinn, Kathrin Hendrich, Felicitas Rauch or Sara Doorsoun.
Winkler from Essen makes her debut in goal
There will be a debut in Zurich in the goalkeeper position: Sophia Winkler from SGS Essen will be between the posts for the senior national team for the first time against Switzerland. “She plays very solidly and not only fits in well with the team in terms of her abilities, but also in terms of her character,” the national coach praised the 21-year-old. “I hope that despite her excitement she is able to show her performance on the pitch.”
In the international match on Monday in Bochum against Italy (8.30 p.m., live on Erste), Frankfurt’s Stina Johannes could make her third appearance, or another debutant could make an appearance in Bayern’s Ena Mahmutovic.
The previous regular goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has stayed with her club in the USA and will be back at the start of the Nations League in February. Berger is certainly going into the European Championship year as the favorite to be number one, but a decision has not yet been made in this regard.
Two birthday children in the squad for the first time
For two outfield players, just being nominated for the A squad for the first time is a huge success. Bayern Munich’s attacking midfielder Alara Sehitler celebrated her 18th birthday on Wednesday – right in the company of her new DFB colleagues. For winger Cora Zicai from SC Freiburg, her national team debut in Zurich could even be a birthday present. She turns 20 on Friday and spends the evening – whether on the pitch or the bench – in the Letzigrund Stadium, which is aptly nicknamed “Birthday Cake” because of its many candle-like floodlight masts on the roof.
“We want to give the younger players the chance,” says the national coach about his current squad, indirectly providing an explanation as to why the experienced Sara Däbritz and Lina Magull are not there this time.
Try new things and still deliver results
The first two international matches of the Wück era have already shown that it is not easy to reconcile the opportunities and risks during such a discovery phase. In the furious 4-3 debut win at London’s Wembley Stadium against England, the DFB women played exciting offensive football, but also revealed some weaknesses in defense. They were seen again in the subsequent 1-2 defeat in Duisburg against Australia. The game in Zurich will be a big challenge for all parts of the team.
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Beware of the Swiss!
In the October international matches, the Swiss not only managed to wrest a draw from the Australians (1:1), but above all they made an exclamation point with their win against France (2:1).
A total of eight Bundesliga players were nominated. Swedish coaching legend Pia Sundhage, who once won two Olympic gold medals with the USA, has been on the bench since the beginning of the year. It should prepare the “Nati” for the upcoming home European Championship. A tournament in which Christian Wück and the DFB women also want to be in top form. The direct duel in Zurich is an important test of form.
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