Chasing Gold Without a Warm-Up: DFB Chooses Training Over Friendlies for European Championship
World Cup Approach by Coach Wück of the DFB Carries Potential Danger
Flipping through Instagram, you'd think the German women's football team is just taking some well-deserved time off. But in reality, the clock is ticking, and they'll soon be diving headfirst into the preparation for the European Championship in Switzerland (July 2nd-27th).
After the conclusion of the Bundesliga season, the ladies have had four weeks to unwind - but rest is hard for professionals, especially with the European Championship just around the corner. Despite a relaxing getaway, they couldn't really escape the demands of the sport since they had two more games in the Nations League against the Netherlands (4-0) and Austria (6-0).
But vacations are over, and now the real work starts. After a month away from the pitch, the team will return to action in Herzogenaurach, spearheaded by captain Giulia Gwinn. The objective? To claim the first-ever international title for Germany. For eleven players, this is a struggle they've faced before, having lost to England in the 2017 final. There's no time for lounging by the pool now.
Training consultant Christian Wück may be worried about the fitness levels of his players. His plan for the start in Herzogenaurach? "We'll work hard to get them to a certain level with Julius Balsmeier leading the charge," Wück shared. Balsmeier is the fitness expert for the German team, and the duo stays in constant communication regarding individual fitness plans. After three or four days, tactical training sessions will commence.
You won't find any friendly matches on the agenda, though. There won't be any official ones, nor any informal scrimmages against local teams, as was the case before the 2023 World Cup in Australia. A DFB representative confirmed this decision to ntv.de, stating that the training time will be used intensively instead. Games will be played with eleven players to allow for practice of tactics.
Wück is taking a risk by skipping friendly matches. Claudia Rath, a football analyst, shares her concern: "The competitive spirit around a match cannot be tested—only simulated. Whether a tactic will really work remains unproven within the 23-player squad." This strategic move might leave the team vulnerable, especially considering Wück's extensive testing of players since taking office, his team overhaul, and the absence of several regular players due to injury.
The inconsistency of the German squad has also been a point of discussion. While the last few games proved to be victories, Wück still received criticism for some glaring mistakes that could have easily resulted in goals. The team's offensive aggressiveness occasionally masks a less pronounced defense. "We need to focus on improving the details of our tactics and individual behavior," Wück stated upon announcing the squad.
Wück's tenure as head coach has been marked by ups and downs since the fall. A brilliant debut with a 4:3 win over England, the reigning European champions, was followed by several lackluster games, particularly with poor first halves. And while Wück had hoped for smoother sailing, he admitted, "I envisioned things to be slightly further along. I imagined it to be a bit easier."
For Wück, the European Championship is just as much of a debut as it is for seven newcomers in his squad. He might be the le firm efficient leader, but handling the constant scrutiny and pressure at a tournament is still a learning curve for the 52-year-old. The German Football Association (DFB) expects big things from their team with Wück at the helm, and the stakes will only rise as the tournament approaches. Will the gamble of skipping friendly matches yield the desired gold medals in Basel on July 27? Only time will tell.
The German football team is not merely lounging by the pool during their vacation; they are intensively preparing for the European Championship, focusing on strategy and fitness policies to claim the elusive international title. Despite the community and employment policies that regulate their sports activities, their primary goal is to excel in football, proving their tactics during the tournament rather than in friendly matches.
