A long list of shortcomings, but not a bad mood. The German soccer players left Duisburg after the somewhat sobering start to the World Cup year with a 0-0 draw against Sweden, knowing that there was still a lot of work to be done for the European runners-up.
“In the first half we didn’t have such a good intensity forwards and backwards. We didn’t switch well, the center was brutally open,” said DFB captain and jubilarian Alexandra Popp on Tuesday evening.
Popp: “Can really get even braver”
It was thanks to her Wolfsburg club colleague and goalkeeper Merle Frohms that the German team did not lose against the physically strong Scandinavians. In front of 20,169 spectators, the world champions from 2003 and 2007 were still unable to implement a number of tactical innovations that were practiced in the training camp in Marbella. “It’s brutally difficult for many to find their way into the new system. We weren’t compelling enough going forward. We can really be even more courageous,” criticized Popp, but also emphasized: “I’m very optimistic that it will still work out .”
Before the eyes of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, it was also evident that the DFB women still have to improve their physical strength. “They really challenged us, also physically,” admitted defender Marina Hegering. Lena Oberdorf, who was ill in defensive midfield, was also sorely missed. “We know we have one of the world’s best players in sixth position,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.
Voss-Tecklenburg: “Poppi the mentality monster again”
The 55-year-old took at least “many pictures” with her for video analysis, the next international game block is due in April: “This game today certainly helped us – with everything that was good and also what was not good.” At the World Cup from July 20th to August 20th in Australia and New Zealand, Morocco, Colombia and South Korea are waiting in the preliminary round.
“Today it was more of a football fight,” admitted the national coach, but emphasized the progress made in the second half and expressly praised her EM star in attack: “Poppi was the mentality monster again today, she marched ahead. You was the captain, she showed we don’t want to lose the game.” The 31-year-old former FCR 2001 Duisburg player played her 125th international match and was happy about the friends and relatives who came.
“It didn’t feel all that different now,” said Popp with a smile. “I also have to admit that shortly before the course I didn’t even know that I was doing the 125th. You know me, that I’m never on the ball there. But when I think about it, it’s a huge thing.”
