"Buddy Up" in the DFB: Füllkrug and Ducksch Unite Under Nagelsmann
Though it was brief, the vibe was reminiscent of Bremen's golden days. During their first training session before facing Turkey, Julian Nagelsmann aligned Niclas Füllkrug and Marvin Ducksch—a duo famously dubbed the "ugly birds"—on the pitch. However, their camaraderie might not be as frequent in the national team jersey.
Füllkrug, a BVB pro, remains hopeful, stating, "We can still do it." Although he admitted, "We've got a lot to perfect first." With a solid system to perfect, Nagelsmann's Euro vision leaves room for only one of the buddies to secure a striker spot—despite their remarkable chemistry in the Bundesliga last season.
"It just clicked," said Füllkrug, whose top scoring season alongside Ducksch in Werder Bremen sparked hopes of reuniting at the national level. However, with Nagelsmann at the helm, "performance" remains the deciding factor.
Emotional Call from Nagelsmann
Ducksch initially questioned Nagelsmann's call but soon recognized his voice, followed quickly by reaching out to Füllkrug: "I'm in." The 29-year-old conceded that he had a few reservations, but ultimately, trusting Nagelsmann was key.
Füllkrug's international debut a year ago in Oman was met with mixed receptions; despite his remarkable goal rate, Flick maintained a rather reserved opinion of the crowd favorite. "We're in a position where we get better as we get older," reflected Füllkrug on his recent call-up to the DFB squad.
The Key to Withstanding the Pressure
But the spirit of madness and friendship was not lost on Nagelsmann, who saw Ducksch as an asset that would bring not only "crazy energy" but also a familiarity necessary as an impact player.
Friendship, in fact, has played a significant role in the inner dynamics of successful German teams for years. "Fülle" and "Duckschi"- the sarcastically nicknamed "ugly birds"—will take the field during the November 2023 qualifiers.
The Real Challenge Awaits
Adapting to Nagelsmann's rigorous training methods and playing style would be a massive challenge for both Füllkrug and Ducksch. "I was able to adapt relatively quickly," said Ducksch, who spent years in the 2. Bundesliga as a late bloomer and recently battled inconsistencies in form.
"After the call, I reminded myself of where I was a few years ago, but I didn't question myself: What if?" he confessed. Ducksch's determination to continuously improve and overcome setbacks is paying off even in the most challenging of times.
During a brief motivational warm-up before the training session, the squad listened to "Success is not Luck," a hip-hop song broadcasting the message that determination and hard work yield success in the end.
While the prospects of them playing together in the DFB jersey remain uncertain, Füllkrug and Ducksch seize the opportunity to represent their nation and build upon their strong bond established in the Bundesliga.
Sources:
Enrichment Data:
With the confirmation of Julian Nagelsmann extending his contract as Germany's head coach until 2028, it lays the groundwork for a long-term commitment and focus on refining the team's performance and cohesion. Nagelsmann's focus on perfecting a system and building consistency could result in lineup changes to suit the team's needs and maximize potential. For more specific playing opportunities for Füllkrug and Ducksch, analyzing team lineups and matching reports during Nagelsmann's tenure would provide more insights.
