German Fraulein National Team 2020 & beyond

So for me, Däbritz is an odd one… a great Olympic tournament for sure but then years of being played out of position lol

A guaranteed a starter for like 6 years or so but rather mediocre/average in a lot of games. I mean, back in the impressive 2022 tournament, I remember us discussing how average she looked (despite stats proving otherwise I guess), but my point is that she never became the top top player it seemed like she was destined to become

now ditched by Lyon and will probably spend her last years playing for a club who’s not really good enough for her still only 30, Däbritz would still have some years ahead of her playing for a real top top team

 

Her greatest run of form would come with her being used as a wide forward/winger... but her lack of raw speed seemed to cause various coaches to gradually remove her from the wings, and chose to slide her centrally as a AM, or push her even deeper to play CM.

Question is... without ever possessing defensive qualities, what happens if Däbritz stays wide, and coaches just accept her lack of raw speed still comes with a genuine effectiveness at creating shooting opportunities from impressive dribbling....

2019 WC she was still effective out wide, but within a very confusing MVT team. 2022 within a AM role she was very good, but no longer as relevant towards the team ability to score goals.

2023 was another confusing MVT team, where Däbritz deployed within a double 6. The latest Euro's tournament seeing her ignored for wnt using two DM's who can't pass forward lol, while Freigang and Dallmann share the CAM role...

So even if Däbritz never reached her true potential in a wnt Jersey, I think she probably did a little more than a even more talented Marozsan, no? And this still impressive when you understand the poor leadership the wnt has endured in her time.

I feel like she's another element of vet experience who should be a leader for the current wnt too... but good luck getting experienced players aged 30+, who still showcase good form wanting to prolong their stay with the senior wnt lol...

When I see Sweden have 10 players above 30 in their Euro's team, Germany only having 4 players aged 30+, yes... extremes on both ends of young and old, but it showcases how much talented players above 30 still have to offer on the elite stage of the game.

Watching every tournament have Germany send one of the youngest squads, only for it to lead to little or no progression headed into the next tournament. It's frustrating thinking what was lost without using Magull, Däbritz, knowing coaches fail to find adequate replacements.

Hoffmann for Popp = STUPID. Nüsken - Senß for Däbritz - Magull = STUPID. Minge - Knaak for Hegering - Hendrich = STUPID...

The only positions potentially upgraded over time with younger options being the FB and WF roles, where it only pure luck we get Brand replace Huth, as Kett, Wamser, Linder, become major upgrades over Ruach.

She didn't play at the Euro's, but like Magull, only age 30 Däbritz still a better player than Nüsken, Senß, Freigang, or Dallmann, and I don't like how this team continues to lose elite level experience to replace them with options who've done absolutely nothing on the elite stage.

 

Germany's CM has been a huge concern since various coaches needlessly destroyed the 2022 Euro's team. Going from this...
------- Lattwein/Däbritz/Lohmann ---------- Magull/Dallmann -----------
---------------------------------- Oberdorf --------------------------------------
To this in 2025...
-------------------------- Dallmann/Freigang ----------------------------------
---------------- Senß/Lohmann -------------- Nüsken -----------------------

Without guarantees Oberforf will be healthy, and Lattwien, Lohmann, still dealing with various injuries, we're currently in a timeline MInge somehow Germany's best progressive passing CM...

At what makes this even worse, is watching the wnt coaches remain completely oblivious to their own players technical profiles, removing any ability for them to see why the team would benefit from minor tactical changes back to a 4-3-3, utilising a lone DM pivot.

At the Euro's, the coaching would showcase a sad repeat of everything wrong with MVT. And this after Hrubesch would dumb down everything tactically way to low, and still have Popp on her own be more effective than Wück's non-existent mid-field.

So who can Wück select now to make this programs goofy 4-2-3-1 work with a more competent mid-field? Well, I say neither Dallmann, or Freigang, should be selected, with it important Nüsken - Senß clearly identified as a genuinely awful double 6 pairing too.

I'm convinced not taking Alara to the Euro's a huge error, as now we still don't know if she better suited to a CAM or CM role on the elite stage. Without the established names proving themselves relevant as CAM's, club form has Kössler, and Mühlhaus, the two best domestic options to join the senior team a CAM/FW's.

Gräwe being another DM pivot/CM who looks truly useless within a double 6. Minge, Piljic, and a 17yo Wrede, all producing better form than more known CM options. LOL... based purely on form, this would be Germany's mid-field options Vs France....
-------------------------- Kössler/Mühlhaus ----------------------------
-------------- Senß/Wrede -------------- Minge/Piljic ----------------

 

Watching Küver's steady early season growth, I think Germany's wnt finally has an elite CB again....

 

Wück is watching Leipzig Vs Essen live... leaving the feeling this insanity of selecting Hoffmann is going to continue...

If these coaches come out the Euro's and still can't see how mediocre Hoffmann is... wow..

Schüller, Cerci, Anyomi, are the only #9's the wnt needs to be using right now... these 3, nothing more.

 

Lohmann in the squad for Nations League Berger out with a knee injury.

 

This squad has a legit frustratingly obvious problem with the quality of it's mid-field. And with Wuck confirming he would have 100% selected Hoffmann if healthy, it's also obvious we'll continue to see even more concerns with the balance and depth of the attacking options too...

....the role of Linda Dallmann and Laura Freigang: "One reason for the personnel changes is that we are generally rethinking the number 10 position. At the European Championships, we didn't find the space that would have been important for this role. Therefore, we are considering slightly adjusting the system or interpreting the position differently. We have chosen Laura Freigang and want to get her back on track."

These being the thoughts of Wück when asked about the nature of the CAM role.... So... does this actually mean we're about to see a return to a lone DM pivot, allowing a mid-field trio featuring 2 more creatively skilled options to create and control tempo..?

Forwards:
Bühl ----------------------- Anyomi/Schüller/Cerci/Martinez ------------------------ Brand/Zicai

Obviously, like I said.... there is a huge issue with this goofy assortment of attackers. Zicai not even proving herself a ready made option for this level of football either, with there being FOUR strikers selected for a team typically only ever using one striker....

This surely meaning one, or both of Anyomi, and Cerci, will be forced to play wide again..., as Dallmann not even considered a wide forward option anymore, at a time options like Endemann, Alber, Mahmoud, Elmazi, Bender, Schimmer, or even Baum, all constantly injured or suffering slower than projected development.

Mid-field:
------------- Lohmann ----------------------------------------------- Freigang -----------------------
----------------------------------- Senß/Oberdorf/Nüsken --------------------------------------

This... lol, this is pure ASS! Seeing Freigang allowed to participate is a complete joke, having just witnessed Vobian in a CAM role for Freiburg basically produce more as a CAM in45 mins, than we've ever seen produced from Freigang in her specialist false #9 role...

Wück mentioning Mühlhaus, but not Kössler being on his radar too... I do genuinely hope he's ready to adjust this formation to a single DM pivot, opening room for someone like Kössler to be part of a front 3, creating opportunities for Alara, and Wrede, to eventually replace what was lost with the absence of Däbritz and Magull.

Plus it needs to be highlighted, with Oberdorf missing important games for Bayern, she won't play Vs France. Which is why this mid-field could be truly awful if we're forced to watch any combination featuring Freigang, and Nüsken, in the same 11 lol.

Defence:
Linder/Kett ------ Solano/Küver --------------------- Minge/Hendrich ------ Gwinn/Wamser
------------------------------------ Mahmutovic/Johannes/Dick -----------------------------------

This the one area of the team that might actually witness some form of upgrade over the last Euro side. Küver already a senor level talent 3 years ago, Kleinherne to return in the future, with Landenberger, Aehling, S.Ostermeier, and Veit, all superior CB options over Knaak too... there should be no more issues of coaches intentionally selecting mediocrity for the wnt CB roles.

I'm still surprised to see Hendrich return, but given the random selection process of the wnt coaches, I think we should just be pleased to see Hendrich return instead of her role being given to an even more random option like Ulbrich lol.

With the arrival of Wamser, Gwinn also has some legit competition now, no? And this depth only set to get deeper when you watch what Gonzalez can do; the same seems to be happening on the left, where Kett and Linder battle for the LB role, with Eggert being my prediction for the future 3rd option.

 

If I was selecting this squad, I would have liked to have seen this.....
Bühl ------------------------------ Anyomi/Schüller/Cerci ------------------------- Brand/Kössler
------------- Alara/Wrede ---------------------------------------- Lohmann/Mühlhaus -------------
-------------------------------------------- Senß/Piljic ------------------------------------------------
Linder/Kett ------ Solano/Küver --------------------- Minge/Hendrich ------ Gwinn/Wamser

Knowing Hoffmann would have been selected again is just wow.... when this a wnt already possessing 3 names (Anyomi, Schüller, Cerci) in every way all superior forward options to whatever it is Wuck think's he's seeing in Hoffmann.

I like Gräwe, but feel like she's stagnating a little bit with Frankfurt, not showcasing the same level we've witnessed from her in previous seasons. Having me go with Senß as the experienced DM, and Piljic the other option.

Plus I'd instantly remove Nüsken, and Freigang, placing my faith in the more offensively gifted feet of Alara and Wrede. Lohmann not even being 90 mins match fit is problematic too, causing me to 90% believe we're about to see Wuck revert to a single DM pivot system.

My starting back 4 would be Linder - Küver - Minge - Wamser, mainly due to Gwinn not playing enough, and Küver having spent more time practicing/playing with Minge.

 

On Call:
Rafaela Borggräfe - FC Liverpool
Maria Luisa Grohs - FC Bayern München

Vanessa Diehm - TSG Hoffenheim
Pia-Sophie Wolter - Eintracht Frankfurt
Paulina Krumbiegel - Juventus Turin

Gia Corley - San Diego Wave FC
Linda Dallmann - FC Bayern München
Lisanne Gräwe - Eintracht Frankfurt
Melissa Kössler - TSG Hoffenheim
Larissa Mühlhaus - SV Werder Bremen
Alara Şehitler - FC Bayern München
Sophie Weidauer - 1. FC Union Berlin

 

Having Wolter on call is lazy. Her time is over now... and the opportunity to be used in her best role (CB) is also a non factor too.

Dick being ahead of Grohs and Borggräfe also seems a bit suspect..., with me always asking what the hell Krumbiegel does to have the wnt coaches constantly have her in a player pool many other players are better suited to be part of the wnt squad.

Freigang just being awful, Nüsken not playing, Oberdorf still injured, all being selected ahead of Alara, Mühlhaus, Kössler, who've been placed on the reserves list, just looks like intentional self harm...

 

u23's squad to face England and Sweden...

GK:
Lina Altenburg - Eintracht Frankfurt
Rafaela Borggräfe - FC Liverpool
Maria Luisa Grohs - FC Bayern München

Ilayda Acikgöz - Eintracht Frankfurt
Dilara Acikgöz - Eintracht Frankfurt
Mara Alber - FC Chelsea
Lisa Baum - RB Leipzig
Tessa Blumenberg - SC Freiburg
Delice Boboy - RB Leipzig
Gia Corley - San Diego Wave FC
Vanessa Diehm - TSG Hoffenheim
Laura Gloning - TSG Hoffenheim
Estrella Merino Gonzalez - Bayer Leverkusen
Lisanne Gräwe - Eintracht Frankfurt
Mathilde Janzen - Kristianstads DFF
Julia Landenberger - RB Leipzig
Julia Mickenhagen - Bayer Leverkusen
Larissa Mühlhaus - SV Werder Bremen
Katharina Piljic - Bayer Leverkusen
Alara Şehitler - FC Bayern München
Marie Steiner - TSG Hoffenheim
Jella Veit - Eintracht Frankfurt
Sophie Weidauer - 1. FC Union Berlin

 

Corley/Alber ------------------------------ Steiner/Boboy -------------------------- Baum/Blumenberg
--------------------- Alara/Janzen ----------------------------------- Mühlhaus/Weidauer ---------------
------------------------------------------- Gräwe/I.Acikgöz/Piljic ------------------------------------------------
D.Acikgöz/Mickenhagen ---- Diehm ----------------- Veit/Landenberger ---- Gonzalez/Gloning

Missing Aehling, and S.Ostermeier in CB roles, Mahmoud and Bender constantly dealing with injury, I'm disappointed to see Wrede selected for the u19's, thinking she currently playing at a standard closer to a senior wnt prospect.

It's crazy seeing Alber selected for the u23's right now too, knowing her new club coach doesn't even believe her competent enough to be part of her UWCL or WSL match day squads...

Piljic often one of the u23's best players, making it frustrating to see her stuck at the u23 level when the senior team needs CM's, watching Martinez doing very little positive with the u23's randomly elevated to the seniors, even though the senior wnt has more than enough forwards to select from.

Plus Blumenberg is not, and has not been a better player than Elmazi. Regardless of her teams slow start to the season, Elmazi still the superior offensive player and should always be part of the u23's until someone better arrives.

 

Borggräfe replaces Mahmutovic (ankle injury).

 

Gia Corley wants to play for USA.

 

Is this is really possible for her? Has someone within US soccer told her she's good enough? If so, then she should honestly take a chance.

We should acknowledge training with the US u23's likely meaning very little, as Germany's u23's with strong performances only saw Wamser elevated to the senior team.

And having seen Corley at Hoffenheim, watching her time within the various junior wnt's, I feel she's never really been able to establish herself in a clear defined role where she can truly excel.

So regardless of past inconsistency, if Corley feels she has a better opportunity to shine within the US system, then she should take it. I mean... is anyone placing Corley ahead of her German peers like Mahmoud, Endemann, Zicai, Bender, Elmazi, Alber, Kössler, Alara, Mühlhaus, or Weidauer...?

I can only imagine how much harder it would be for Corely to break into the senior USwnt.

 

Ughhhh... Martinez has only scored 1 goal for the u23's, and has amassed an impressive 0 goals over 6 games for her WSL club this season lol; having previously surprised many with 10 WSL goals in the 12 club games she played... why is she being called up for the senior wnt now...

Selecting Hoffmann was an easy error to correct, however... being removed from wnt selection after suffering a season ending injury, the wnt coaches suddenly decide to bring in an even less impressive Martinez...

I remember watching Martinez with the u23's, and she looked so inconsistent over 90 mins, I couldn't imagine seeing her placed ahead of Anyomi, Cerci, or Schüller, to receive an opportunity to play #9 for the senior wnt.

Having me ask, why ignore Kössler as the forward with a higher ceiling within a front 3, when she's spent years at Potsdam and Hoffenheim showcasing offensive qualities that would clearly translate to the senior international level better than forcing a Hoffmann or Martinez level player into the team.

To formulate another bad conclusion the wnt still needing a very inconsistent one dimensional forward, when you already possess superior forwards with varying skill sets in Schüller, Cerci, Anyomi, is just pure incompetence lol.

Kössler currently on 4 league goals and 4 assists in 6 games (already matching last seasons total), having only hit the 10 goal barrier once in her career, but also seeing most of her early career being a very effective wide player... it just makes sense for the France games.

Bühl/Zicai ------------------------------ Anyomi/Schüller/Cerci ------------------------- Brand/Kössler

 

Nüsken should have no role on the wnt.... yet despite her bad tactical play for the wnt, and her poor form at club level, she's most likely going to start in CM again Vs France...

I hope Oberdorf is healthy... but if she's not playing 90 mins for Bayern in the UWCL, we should forget about her having any involvement Vs France.

Looking around at new potential mid-field talent, Alara should have already kicked Freigang out of Euro squad. With every passing game leaving me more confused why Wrede isn't being fast tracked into the u23's to simply prepare her for the eventual senior team selection.

The idea we're about to witness a mid-field trio of Freigang - Senß - Nüsken, facing France is...; this trio being an incredible decline compared to Magull - Däbritz - Oberdorf.

I honestly thought Germany had a decade of success coming with the core of Magull, Däbritz, Lohmann, Lattwein, Oberdorf. But this mid-field core didn't even last beyond a single tournament lol....

 

I think the US is just taking a look at her with the U23's because this doesn't cap her. She will never make the USWNT. I think she is also probably using this to put pressure on Germany. Ultimately she probably never plays for either countries full national team.

 

I agree with your final point about it being highly unlikely we ever see her represent either wnt at the senior level... but who told Corley she'd be able to compete for the USWNT...

When Germany faced USA at u23 level this year, Corley only featured in one of those games, and that was as a substitute too.

Germany's wnt program overall clearly in a far worse condition than the USwnt, but even then... it still has enough attacking talent to make Corley an after thought.

Meaning while I respect her ambition, it does come across as slightly irrational for Corley to think she can suddenly aply pressure to German coahces to start treating her like one of the programs elite prospects...

Honestly, I'd like to hear what the USwnt u23 coaches think they saw in Corely to actively pursue her...
.

 

hmmmmm.... Alara has been brought in as a replacement for Linder.... Wuck did select 4 FB's, meaning he didn't actually need to replace Linder with another LB option. But I hope Alara has been brought in to actually be a AM/CM option.

Greta Stegemann replaces Alara in the u23 squad.

 

Ughhh.... and with the most lazy, low level basic of imagination, Oberdorf has been replaced by Dallmann...

Zero thought's of trying to improve this damn, team, lets just call up another player who shouldn't be on the wnt anymore, to compete for a position there's almost no opportunity for her to participate...

 

I didn't expect Oberdorf to play a significant role vs France... but with her future potentially dealing with another ACL, surely now it's obvious to the wnt coaches they'll have to start getting serious about constructing a legit mid-field without it's star player.

No Magull, no more Däbritz, and now no Oberdorf too, Germany have lost a starting mid-field trio that once looked to be genuinely elite. And with Lohmann and Lattwein's careers being negatively effected by injury, we've also seen the obvious players next in line removed from any future planning too.

Now it's it's left behind is a potential mid-field trio of Nüsken, Senß, Freigang... . The downgrade here appearing genuinely insane when you understand Nüsken, and Senß are both disruptive DM's, with Freigang a basic level forward who lacks any ability to provide key passes; Germany will never control the mid-field anymore.

So I'm hoping after the two games Vs France, the wnt coaches will start the process of rebuilding the mid-field around the introduction of new/improved options with wider skill sets. Because replacing an elite CM Oberdorf with veteran AM Dallmann feels lazy when you have Wrede, Gräwe, Piljic, all being young CM's performing at a wnt standard...

But hey... Wück said he's changing the shape of the mid-field.... so maybe there's hope he's noticed the errors of the past, and is willing to adapt to the future.