German Fraulein National Team 2020 & beyond

There is a lot of players in this German wnt who should NOT be part of the German wnt...

 

Fiskerstrand saves against Endemann

 

Linder saves on the line.

 

1.GER 6 9-0
2.NOR 3 1-4
3.SLO 3 1-5
4.AUT 0 0-2

 

Germany's performance aside, this type of result is exactly why Norway should have fired their coach after the Euros.

 

A really positive final result Vs Norway, would feature some strong displays from Anyomi, Endemann, Senß, Minge... but damn, the player selection, and the squad rotation, continue to be...

Norway having WAY too many clear attempts on goal, on another day score at least 2 goals. Highlighting some of the issue that persist in key areas of the field.

But unlike games Vs France, and Spain, this time Wück saw his attacking players become surprisingly efficient with their key moments of transitional attack.

Endemann finally allowed to play, is demonstrating what many knew she could add to this teams wings; scoring and creating chances to offset the highly unbalanced ineffective nature of this teams right wing.

Anyomi doing alot of fantastic forward play to allow the team to effectively maintain possession in Norway's half, as she held and distributed the ball from various incredibly difficult back to goal scenarios.

Senß producing another fantastic display, which would see her only lose possesion of the ball once, yet showcase progressive passing and strong tackling, that continues to solidify opinion that she's Germany's best DM right now.

I even thought Minge would have a very solid display as a CB, playing with a level of measured intensity that allowed the away side to maintain an incredibly high defensive line in the opening half.

But again, the negatives here continue to come in the form of needlessly random team selection, and the dumb belief Berger is Toni Kroos...

Germany scoring 3 first half goals inspite of Wamser being part of the attack, not thanks to her being part of the attack...; the sooner this ends, the stronger this team will look.

Brand's high work rate in central areas allowing Germany to press Norwegian CM's. Yet Brand starting in this role does confirm Wück'a belief his teams big weakness in the CM functioning correctly within oppositions half.

Meaning an overall impressive victory, still felt like it exposed glaring weaknesses in Wück's squad, and the need for him to actively improve the starting 11/squad if he wants to genuinely challenge for a tournament.

 

I still believe Berger's various antics are going to negatively impact this team at a major tournament, and would hope to see Mahmutovic recieving some starting GK minutes.

Minge - Knaak both defended well while maintaining a relatively agressive high line; and still passed the ball accurately towards mid-fielders and forwards.

Both FB's were offensively reserved, mainly focusing on keeping Norway's biggest goal threats on a tight leash.

Senß was excellent, Nüsken good while being in a more deciplined posture too. Brand in a CM role very effective being a dominant athletic pressence, wining tackles, and progessing the ball with her dribbling.

Beyond her nice near post finish, Wamser was really bad. However... on the other wing Endemann was excellent, never creating any reason for anyone to mourn the absence of Bühl aka one of the woman's game best players.

Anyomi was deceptively elite in this game too... wining the ball, holding possesion, and still finding her team mates with great passing. She didn't score, but her general play was genuinely elite.

Subs:
Dallmann was OK... initially coming on as a AM, she'd move to the right wing and still remain OK.

Veit is a CB I feel still in a raw/learning stage of her career. So seeing her given a shock debut away to Norway might speak to Wück believing she actually a CB for the present, not the future. ..

Schüller, and Linder did nothing to improve the team, Freigang doing even less yet still randomly creating a 1v1 chance for Endemann to almost score the games 5th goal lol.

If Wück wants to create a real WC contender, he needs to introduce more AM/CM talent, and stop the madness of deploying Wamser (FB), or Cerci (FW), out of their best positions.

Freigang really having no future in a genuine tournament contender level Germany, Dallmann also having a suspect future if trends continue and Mühlhaus the latest player as good as many believe she is.

Oberdorf eventually returns... Mühlhaus is going to be a major upgrade on Freigang, with Alara and Lohmann still part of Wück's plans, while Wrede is only going to continue to improve... you can see why change will eventually occur.

So even if Bühl, Brand, Endemann, remain the only wide forward options, and the back 4 options remain the same, we still should see some major changes to this teams mid-field before the WC.

 

What Berger's antics are you refering to?

 

I remember stating how her first season at Wolfsburg saw Endemann showcase how and why her game IQ at a significantly higher level than Brand.

But beyond strong decision making, I'm starting to also see Endemann showcase signs of significantly improving the effectiveness of her dribbling too...

Over 2 wnt games, Endemann contributing 2 goals, and 4 assists, knowing if we combine the other clear looks she missed or created for others, she should have ended with 4 goals and at least 6 assists...

I always knew Endemann the best domestic goal scorer from a wide role. But she continues to improve other departments of her game, to the effect of replacing Bühl on the left without the level of the left wing alongside Kett decreasing in any way....

I don't see Brand remaining a realistic CM option headed into the WC. Making the battle for game time really interesting once all 3 of Bühl, Brand, Endemann, all healthy.

Oh... and Endemann's future at club level undecided beyond this season... Bayern should pay attention to what's missing from their right wing...

 

Senß is also out of contract in the summer... and should the rumors of Bayern signing her be true, it's now a transer that's beginning to make alot more sense...

Senß never allowed to participate as a starter during the last Olympics, and was taking slander for her work constantly covering/protecting Nüsken's positional weakness during the Euro's.

But gradually people are noticing Senß is performing at a level above Nüsken. Not just the an impressive DM, but a DM who's still capable of contributing goals and assists...

I was personally incredibly critical of Senß not taking the responsibility of providing needed progressive passing from deep, in a team desperately needing strong progressive passing through it's midfield.

But somethings clearly changed with Senß post Euro's, where she's not only making tackles and interceptions, but actively demanding the ball to help dictate game tempo.

And while part of this change has been in big part to Wück's tactics asking on FB to invert, while introducing an athletic all action Brand to a CM role. Mentality wise, I think Senß is also playing like she truly belongs now.

 

When Berger plays, her big strengths are dealing with close range shots, saving PK's, alongside a much needed ability to safely claim high crosses among a crowded penalty box.

The problem with Berger right now though, is she's no longer playing in the same tactically weak wnt, where she ends games producing more accurate forward passes than the CM's...

When she initially joined the wnt, someone told Berger she'd be an assest as a accurate long passer. However... watching her constantly smash idiotic long balls into Mid-field doesn't make sense anymore.

Berger's long passes are being intercepted by opponents who will instantly break on Germany's exposed back 4; this alongside other errors, have her causing unesssary chaos to the defense.

Dellusional attempts for a GK to be Toni Kroos absolutely no longer necessary within a side only improving their capacity to efficiently recycle possession.

And this is why I highlight Berger's antics... knowing her approach only brings more pressure to the defence, and no longer helps generate attacks.

We're currently watching a tactically improved wnt, where Berger's unforced errors could easily cost this coach important goals during a major tournament...

CB's and CM's who previously couldn't be trusted to dictate play, or recycle possesion, are now positioning themselves correctly to take the responsibility of moving the ball through opponents high press.

Meaning all Berger needs to do is keep everything calm. Make the saves your expected to make, catch corners, clear FK's. No more extra antics.

 

Some match stats...

Overall Possession: Germany 56.1%

Shots:
Norway 14 - Germany 13
Shots On Target:
Norway 8 - Germany 7

Touches Inside Opponents Box:
Norway 28 - Germany 21
One on One Attempts:
Norway 0 - Germany 2
Offsides:
Norway 0 - Germany 2

Backwards Passes:
Norway 49 - Germany 114
Long Balls:
Norway 37 - Germany 77
Successful Final Third Passes:
Norway 62 - Germany 84
Crosses:
Norway 14 - Germany 14

Total Tackels:
Norway 13 - Germany 21
Successful Tackles %:
Norway 46% - Germany 66%
Fouls:
Norway 9 - Germany 10

 

Norway - Germany

 

If all are healthy... I genuinely see this being Germany's World Cup squad.

FW:
---------------- Anyomi/Cerci/Schüller -------------------
WF:
Bühl/Mahmoud --------------- Brand/Endemann
CM:
--- Wrede\Nüsken ------ Oberdorf/Mühlhaus -----
--------------------------- Senß -------------------------
FB:
Kett/Linder --------------------------- Wamser/Gwinn
CB:
---- Küver/Knaak ---------- Minge/Kleinherne ----
GK:
-------- Mahmutovic/Berger/Johannes -----------

Depending on the fate of Schüller, Hoffmann could be the controversial choice to be part of the WC squad...

At one point I thought Alber or Bender would make the WC squad, but seeing more of Wück's preferences, I'm starting to think Mahmoud's going to become the 4th wide forward.

Healthy Oberdorf walks back into the wnt, with the talent of Wrede also too big to ignore. Mühlhaus battling Alara, Lohmann, and more for a squad place.

If healthy, all the FB's select themselves. Gonzalez the one player I see good enough to come into the squad if anything goes wrong.

I wouldn't personally select Knaak, but the coaches have made it clear she's a regular memeber of this team if healthy. All the other CB's choices are obvious, meaning we won't see anything random occur.

Winkler the only GK who could change the order of the current 3. And I have no idea when she's set to return, so...

If Wück is still using Wamser or Cerci out wide when Bühl returns... something is VERY wrong.

If Brand is still playing in central mid-field towards the end of WC qualification, ahead of Oberdorf, or Wrede, something is VERY VERY wrong.

As long as Wück understands current player options won't be his best player options, him establishing a solid system for the group to become better than sum of its parts is the best thing he's doing right now.

 

Wück is slowly re-establish a balanced style of play, featuring long balls, quick short passing, alongside a genuine counterpress...

Vs France and Spain, it wasn't clear if this purely accidental, never to be seen again. But no... even Vs lower ranked opponents, Wück's wnt is playing the exact same way...

Chance creation Vs France, and Spain, incredibly similar to the chance creation witnessed Vs Slovenia, and Norway.

And this a really good sign knowing the teams best attacking player wasn't even available Vs Slovenia, or Norway.

Even defensively, data suggests this team at the beginning of brining back a strong identity. Effective agressive pressing seeing improved success rates in tackles.

The fact Wück recognized the various tactical failures of the Euro's, and actually made strides to fix them while using the exact same players is honestly shocking.

But there's still some key players that need to come into this squad before it clear what can really accomplish. The ability to score goals just as vital as being able to defend competently.

 

Some post match views of Wück:
"We had phenomenal phases in the game."

"But we also had phases in the first and second halves that weren't so good."

"We have to thank Ann-Katrin Berger for keeping a clean sheet."

"We were able to execute our passing game well today and also had good movement off the ball."

"When I think about the 4-0 goal, it was a very well-played pass from Vivien Endemann, which Jule Brand met perfectly. That's exactly the kind of thing we're training at the moment."

"From the outset, we said we wanted to expand our squad with players we believe can deliver on the international stage what we need as the German national team."

The part about Berger preventing Norway scoring is very true... but I hope he's talking to her about no longer attempting so many ridiculously difficult long passes through the center of the field.

Talking about off ball movements, watching Kett successfully inverting to become a 3rd or 4th CM, is something I didn't even know she could do...

If it true he's still looking to add more squad depth, surely we see him bring Wrede into the next squad, while also adding another winger so Cerci or Wamser never need to play out of position again.

 

Loderer is talking about her team in a very similar langue used by Komp after surviving last minute goals to qualify for her first u17 Euro's.

But with Loderer so far being far less successful as a junior wnt coach, it would be a massive step if she could ever replicate what Kromp produced with her u17 championship winning team...

And I don't know what Essen as a club has done to the wnt coaches... but it remains a very weird position to see this particular club feature so few nominations within the u17, u19, or u23's...

Essen used to function like a DFB academy team playing in the nations top division.

 

FIFA just mandated all female football (youth/senior, club/national) must have at least one female head or assistant coach on the bench, plus at least two female staff total. And this effective immediately, starting with U17/U20 World Cups...

As someone who's seen how bad a female focused quota system has been for the overall stability of the German wnt program, it's going to be really interesting seeing how the rest of the world handles and reacts to this.

Honestly... with FIFA doing this, all I could think was how long before the same voices behind the scenes mandate ALL female clubs and wnt's need to be lead by all women coaching staff...

A decade of the DFB mandating women only coached wnt's, saw a massive decline in the programs on field success rate.

And it's going to be rather interesting to see how rival federations handle this, as this feels like the first steps towards FIFA eventually banning all men from coaching women's teams...

 

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— CAPTCHA 🪅 (@FootyFilmzz) March 26, 2026

For anyone asking why I keep mentioning Berger needing to stop her "antics"...

 

I typically don't speculate on GK's... but while Winkler injured, to me Mahmutovic continues to look like the GK pools most stable 1st option...

The wnt asking GK's to be deep lying CM's needs to end ASAP. As the team no longer in the desperate condition it was, where it made sense to try something different to effectively recycle possession.

But with Wück's team finally showcasing improved tactical ballance, I think he needs to remove the last remnants of Hrubesch's finger in the damn approach.

 

Germany again without their best player


but there is still hope
auf Abruf
Laura-Johanna Dick 13.06.2003 TSG Hoffenheim 0 0
Vanessa Diehm 22.03.2004 TSG Hoffenheim 0 0
Maria Luisa Grohs 13.06.2001 FC Bayern München 0 0
Kathrin Hendrich 06.04.1992 Chicago Red Stars 90 5
Sydney Lohmann 19.06.2000 Manchester City 44 6
Sarah Mattner-Trembleau 11.05.2003 SKN St. Pölten 0 0
Larissa Mühlhaus 13.01.2003 SV Werder Bremen 1 1
Katharina Piljic 05.09.2003 Bayer Leverkusen 0 0
Felicitas Rauch 30.04.1996 North Carolina Courage 50 5
Sophie Weidauer 10.02.2002 1. FC Union Berlin 0 0

 

Damn... Friegang and Zicai contunue being called up..., even though it obvious Mühlhaus is better than Freigang, wow.

In the role of a CAM, when you see how both Mühlhaus, and Freigang influence games, Mühlhaus CLEARLY superior to Friegang in the most important factors (progresive passing/creativity) that would help improve the wnt.

The wnt having a very obvious problem with the shockingly limited depth of it's wide forward/winger options, it's increasingly frustrating witnessing the lazy choice of forcing Cerci wide, or falling back to Zicai...

Martinez not a senior wnt level player yet... but clearly a player who's going to be given relentless opportunities by the senior wnt coaches, regardless of her not impressing at u23 level, or doing anything at club level to justify her current status.

I'm honestly shocked an inconsistent Gräwe has been recalled for back to back squads, considering the wnt coaches open acknowledgement of Lohmann's availability.... This feeling like Lohmann probably in a position right now, some good career choices needing to happen, if she hopes to save/resurrection her wnt career...

Veit showing up randomly one day, and returning for the next round of matches, also hints at her being a permanent fixture within the senior wnt too.

I'm thinking the only way Cerci gets to play as a striker, is other players being suspended or injured. Hoffmann, and Martinez, starting ahead of Cerci in the #9 role remianing absolutely ridiculous, but the kind of nonsense expected with this programs analytics department...

When Bühl returns, it onvious Zicai will be dropped from the squad. And when Oberdorf eventually returns to full health, I imagine Gräwe will be dropped too.

To me, based on what I've seen, Mühlhaus still the superior CAM to a genuinly fraudulent Friegang. Wrede also still the best CM talent the wnt can select right now.

Seeing Rauch return to the reserve list, a sad reminder that many of these players wnt's fates actually closer to a coin toss, or pure coincidence, not talent. Multiple FB's currently better than ever needing to return to Rauch, and no sign of Kössel... not even on the reserves list... wow.