Füllkrug & Ducksch: The Power of Friendship and Teamwork
Can Füllkrug and Ducksch propel Germany to the European Championship title?
Niclas Füllkrug (30) and Marvin Ducksch (29) are joining forces for the national team for the first time, with Füllkrug having already established himself as a regular striker for coach Julian Nagelsmann (36). Ducksch, on the other hand, is making his debut in the senior squad.
The pair played together as strikers for two years at Werder Bremen, and their chemistry flourished, first helping the club earn a promotion to the Bundesliga and then securing their position in the top flight. They shared a unique bond and affectionately dubbed themselves "the ugly birds."
Ducksch: "We used to talk about it a lot. It wasn't planned to become a huge success, it was just a joke between us."
Their connection, born out of their time together in Bremen, could prove invaluable for the German national team, as Füllkrug explains: "It's an advantage for us to know each other so well. We are different types of strikers. Duckschi has a clean playing style with great vision and awareness. I'm a striker who feels comfortable in duels and aerial duels and scores goals with power. We complement each other perfectly, and it's a strong match made in heaven."
However, their friendship was not without its challenges. During a Second Bundesliga match in Aue, a heated argument between the two resulted in Füllkrug shouting at Ducksch in front of the entire team and threatening him with a "slap." Ducksch chimes in: "I didn't like something Füllkrug did at that moment. We spoke our minds openly and honestly. Arguments can be loud at times, like that one or during half-time in Aue. But we always reconciled in the end."
The duo's success in Bremen has drawn worldwide attention. Can they replicate that magic on the international stage? Füllkrug believes so: "Of course, we can still work well together. We have a solid understanding, so it wouldn't be a problem to set up a system for the European Championship. There's always the option to replace a second striker if we're trailing. That could be an option. We'd still get along and could implement it smoothly."
The prospect of Füllkrug and Ducksch teaming up for Germany is exciting, and their potential to reignite their on-field chemistry and productivity is a tantalizing prospect for fans across the country.
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Füllkrug's success with Ducksch at Werder Bremen led to his international recognition. He was first called up to the German national team in November 2021, following an outstanding performance with 16 goals, five of which were penalties converted without a miss.
Füllkrug was also considered for the German national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar but was eliminated in the group stage. His performances at Werder Bremen had added to his prominence in the German football scene.
Since his impressive form at Werder Bremen, Füllkrug has continued to be selected for the German national team, underscoring how the dynamic between the two strikers at Werder Bremen significantly impacted his international career. Despite no specific mention of Ducksch's direct impact on the German national team, their partnership at Werder Bremen catapulted Füllkrug to prominence and attracted the attention of national team selectors.
