France vs. Germany 11/11/05 [R]

[The Old Lady Hertha]

from skysports.com
----------------------------------------------------------
Germany look likely to have a full strength squad to face France in Paris on November 11 with both Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose back to fitness.

The Bayern Munich midfielder and the Bremen striker both missed Germany's disappointing recent performances against Turkey and China and boss Jurgen Klinsmann hopes that their return will boost his team's chances against the 2000 European champions:

"It's great to have our captain back on board. It is a tremendously positive signal to the rest of the squad," the former Tottenham star said.

"It is also good news that Miroslav Klose is fit again. He has been in great form this season and is of immense value to the team in general and not only as a goalscorer," he added.

There are no real surprises in Klinsmann's 21-man squad, although speculation that Borussia Dortmund pair Sebastian Kehl and Christian Worns could be set for a recall has not become reality.

He added: "We are watching Sebastian's very positive development closely and I can say that he is on the verge of getting back in the squad.

"I can understand Christian's frustration at missing the match against France, but nothing has changed as far as his situation is concerned.

"He knows that we want to give younger players such as Robert Huth a chance on the international stage, but Christian is still very much part of our plans," Klinsmann added.

Full German squad:

Timo Hildebrand (Stuttgart), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Robert Huth (Chelsea), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Monchengladbach), Per Mertesacker (Hannover), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund), Patrick Owomoyela (Werder Bremen), Lukas Sinkiewicz (Cologne), Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Sebastian Deisler (Bayern Munich), Fabian Ernst (Schalke), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (Cologne).
------------------------------------------------------------
Quite surprised that Kehl did not merit a callup...and not even a mention of Fathi!!! Very static lineup I must say. At least Ballack and Klose are back.

[Dead Fingers]

Ballack is questionable for this weekends game. So, not sure if he will be back

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

Quite surprised that Kehl did not merit a callup...and not even a mention of Fathi!!! Very static lineup I must say. At least Ballack and Klose are back.

Well, ok, Kehl has some good concurrents on his position, so i can understand Klinsi.
I would also want to give Fathi the chance to play.

Best 3 left backs for Germany are IMO:
1. Lahm (based on performance he showed, injured currently)
2. Jansen (played a very good season so far)
3. Fathi (made good matches for youth NT and gets more and more valuable for Hertha)

The guys like Schneider, Hitzlsperger or Schweinsteiger are no left backs,
Klinsmann shouldn´t be surprised, that they show bad performances on this position. So, Klinsi, kick one of the three out of team and give Fathi a chance.

[KarlMai]

------------------------------------------------------------
Quite surprised that Kehl did not merit a callup...and not even a mention of Fathi!!! Very static lineup I must say. At least Ballack and Klose are back.


Yes... but one of the criticisms against Klinsmann was that he tinkered too much, that he changed the team too often (I don't think this is true, or if true that it happened without a reason). In a way, this might be a reaction... So I can understand that.

It wouldn't have hurt to nominate Kehl, or maybe Kiessling (but he is needed in the U-21), according to recent form. Fathi...yeah, maybe. But he is needed in the U21 qualifier, too. And this IS an important match, also.

Anyway, there are no grave errors in that roster IMHO. :)

[__Dynamite__]

Well, ok, Kehl has some good concurrents on his position, so i can understand Klinsi.


Alright, but Ernst is totally out of form and Frings is better in zentral/offensive midfield, although he wouldn`t agree with me on that.

Borowski is on a roll, but he isn`t a number 6 either. Thats why (and because I am a Borusse, of course :)) I would appreciate Klinsmann drafting Kehl in the NT.

Btw, what do you guys think about this Hofman guy from Rapid Wien? He played very well in the championsleague and the the tv-man said he is german. Maybe Klinsi should keep an eye on him.

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

Btw, what do you guys think about this Hofman guy from Rapid Wien? He played very well in the championsleague and the the tv-man said he is german. Maybe Klinsi should keep an eye on him.
He plays good, but i heard he said, he wants to play for Austria, because of his Austrian wife.

[Jaison]

At least he's considering Kehl now.. still... Why didn't he call him up?

Hitzlsperger should be issued with a restraining order to stay away from the NT.

Fathi's played better than Jansen so far this year IMO. I don't what Klinsi's thinking with this. Jansen is very talented, but he needs more experience before he should be considered.

[Jaison]

It would be nice if Trochowski would get a call-up as well.

[Gregoriak]

I'm a Klinsi supporter, but that he called up Fabian Ernst despite a severe crisis makes me think that Klinsi is on the way to become another Rudi Völler, in always calling up the same people even if they are completely out of form. And how can he still call up Robert Huth? I like Huth, but he should only return to the national team once he's playing regularly for (whatever) club he's playing for. Would have been nice to see Stefan Kiessling, but of course he's needed in the U21. A year ago, Klinsmann would not have hesitated a minute to nominate Kiessling, though (regardless of U21 duties).

[Jaison]

Yeah, Ernst being continually called up is bizzare. He's been crap for us (Schalke and NT), while Kehl has been in good form of late.

Do you have any idea why this "Voeller syndrome" is happening? It's as if Klinsi's trying to appease someone IMO.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Actually Fathi just turned 22 so he can't turn out for U21s.

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

Actually Fathi just turned 22 so he can't turn out for U21s.

He can, every player can play there, who is born after 1.1.83
(so it´s no real U-21, but that´s the rule).

[The Old Lady Hertha]

He can, every player can play there, who is born after 1.1.83
(so it´s no real U-21, but that´s the rule).

Really? Didn't know that.

But regardless...I think any national team match, even if it's a friendly, is more important than any U21 match IMHO.

[ForeverRed]

I agree with Gregoriak..

Players like Huth, Schneider, Ernst and even Hitzlsperger aren't consistent enough....10 minutes with Chelsea would be a lot of playing time for Huth, thats how bad it is....and when the heck is he going to call up Kehl?

I'm sorry guys but I think France will school us.....if they play with their A-team.

[AussieFCB]

Why Huth??? It never ceases to amaze me that this guy gets called up every international. He gets way more time playing internationals than he does playing for Chelsea. This guy needs to be dropped, that simple.

I know Germany has a centre-back shortage but metzelder is making a stirring comeback and we also have woerns to fill that position (anyones better than Huth). Oh and I can't forget Mertesacker, he's getting better too.

I Can't wait for Lahm to be back in action, the NT really needs him.

[aloisius]

I really liked how Germany has played in some matches under klinsman , but he seems to be losing it .

Calling up players like Ersnt, hitzlsperger and huth who are either playing poorly or not at all while not calling up Kehl, Trochovski, worns or even alex meir makes no sense.

Defensive stability could be best achieved by a Dortmund block , worns, metzelder and Kehl.

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

I really liked how Germany has played in some matches under klinsman , but he seems to be losing it .

Calling up players like Ersnt, hitzlsperger and huth who are either playing poorly or not at all while not calling up Kehl, Trochovski, worns or even alex meir makes no sense.

Defensive stability could be best achieved by a Dortmund block , worns, metzelder and Kehl.

Totally agree with Piotr Trochowski and Alex Meier, both are good talents,
but i doubt, that a Dortmund block could help the NT.
Metzelder and Wörns played well at WC 2002, yes, but that´s 4 years ago - different time.
Both played much better at this time and Dortmund was a top club in Europe.
I hold Kehl cheap, i remember many total ********** performance for the NT,
he played like Huth in his last match for Chelski.

[aloisius]

I don’t see how mertesacker or sinkiewizc are better than worns. They’re not. Not to mention Huth

Kehl did use to be crap but he’s much improved this year, I’d say. He’s also a specialist Dmid, which no one else is.

[GN'R]

not too sure about a german win on this one though...the teams form has been below par and klinsi is under immense pressure. but then again the french have not looked too good either, maybe it will end a draw

[MicFW]

Huth is not good enough for the national team, at least not for the time being. Sinkiewicz is talented, but also nobody to rely on at the moment. The same applies to Hitzlsperger, especially if he is supposed to play left back. Neither Frings nor Ernst are in good form. Neuville might be an alternative for the offensive and is experienced, but I doubt that he will be a member of the wc squad, so I don’t see what his nomination is good for. Other players that deserve a chance are missing, for example Kiessling, Meier or Kehl.

Maybe Klinsmann doesn’t want to let his players down and hopes they will improve, but the composition of the squad is definitely questionable this time.