The German soccer players are heading to the semifinals of the Nations League with the double leadership of Alexandra Popp and Lea Schüller France – Horst Hrubesch does not hide it, unlike other practices in the sector. While training sessions that media representatives or even fans can follow in their entirety are now a rarity in the men's professional field, the interim national coach acts differently. “As far as I'm concerned, you can always come,” the 72-year-old coach casually told reporters at the press conference ahead of the Nations League semi-final against France in Lyon.
Alexandra Popp (left) training with Lea Schüller
IMAGO/Eibner
Thursday's session at the Groupama stadium was only open to media representatives for the first 15 minutes, but that is the case for UEFA-managed matches. FIFA has long been common practice. However, Hrubesch had about 100 minutes before his eyes on Tuesday in Frankfurt. DFB-Have trained employees and reporters. In the last game he visibly separated the starting eleven and the substitute. Student of FC Bayern and Popp from VfL Wolfsburg burst in side by side.
Hrubesch does not keep any secrets about her tactics: for the women's DFB the important thing is Olympic qualification. The German team would be there with a victory against France in Paris (July 26 to August 11). In case of defeat, she would have a second chance in the fight for third place, since the French are automatically qualified as Olympic hosts. Then the loser of the match between the world champions would be on Wednesday in Seville or Heerenveen. from Spain and the Netherlands The opponent.
Horst Hrubesch, interim coach of the German women's national team
Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Thanks to Hrubesch's opening it is clear that the European runners-up will line up in a 4-4-2 system. The coach trusts attackers like Svenja Huth and the penetration of Schüller and Popp: “They also have the possibility of passing one on one. Lea with his and Poppi's speed can hold the balls, they can place balls.”
The 32-year-old captain and 2016 Olympic champion also has France's best memories: the 2-1 victory in the Euro 2022 semi-finals In England A few months later, in the friendly match in Dresden (2-1), he scored both goals.