HomeManager in FocusTHE APPRENTICE BECOMES THE MASTER

THE APPRENTICE BECOMES THE MASTER

By Pranav Venkatesh

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flick lineup germany

Hansi Flick is set to take over as the head coach of the German national team by August first. The incoming ex-Bayern Munich replaces Joachim Loew who bowed out after the Euros, after a stellar fifteen years in charge of Die Mannschaft. He oversaw many highs and lows with the national team at the helm of it but now Flick has the task of leading Germany back to glory with his exciting tactics and lineup.

 

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The recent past wasn’t kind to Loew as his tactics were questioned time and time again. He was coming under intense scrutiny every time the team failed to reach expectations. The DFB thought that Loew had reached his saturation point and were ready to make the change required. They thought a new ideology was required to get the best out of them again.

 

Hansi Flick recently enjoyed tremendous success with Bayern Munich winning a sextuple was available. Flick probably left the Bayern job mysteriously with an eye on coaching the national team. Before the Euros, it was announced that Loew would leave after the tournament. Flick was announced as the new coach. What can we expect from Flick’s new German age?

 

END OF AN ERA

A young and ambitious Joachim Loew was introduced to the German national team by his senior Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004. Loew was an assistant to Klinsmann during the 2006 world cup. The duo shared an extreme passion for attacking football and it was their philosophy. After their semi-final run in 2006, Klinsmann decided not to renew his contract and left his role.

 

 

Loew was then handed the reins. He brought in Hansi Flick as his assistant in 2006. Together the duo led Germany to the European Championship finals in 2008 where they lost to Spain 1-0. Loew implemented a 4-4-2 along with a 4-2-3-1 and inspired Flick with his every tactic. Loew can be credited with the success of Germany’s midfield. He increased the tempo of the game as midfielders took way less time on the ball to dispose it under him rather than his predecessors.

Loew’s pinnacle moment came in 2014 as he won the World Cup in 2014 beating Argentina in the final 1-0. Since then we can say a sort of decline followed at the major tournaments. They exited the Euro in 2016 at the semis to old foes France. Despite winning the Confederations cup in 2017, they disappointed at the Worldcup in 2018. The champions’ curse struck them as they fell at the group stages sheepishly.

 

 

Before Euro 2020 it was announced that Flick would take over the national team from his senior Loew. Drawn in the so-called group of death Loew was desperate to leave on a high. He even recalled Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels after exiling them in 2018. The Germans scraped through the group stages to fall at the first time of asking in the knockouts to England. It ended Loew’s era with the Die Mannschaft.

 

A NEW RAY OF HOPE

Loew’s final few days were filled with chaos. He was criticized for many of his decisions both on and off the pitch. His formations and team selections especially left many wondering. Loew resorted to a three at the back formula which backfired. Leading to the tournament they were battered 6-1 by Spain and surprisingly beaten by minnows North Macedonia 2-1. Similar struggles at the Euros were seen.

With Flick, we can expect a safer approach and a return to normalcy with four at the back. Flick loves using the classic 4-2-3-1 with a solid number nine. Given Germany’s struggles without a quality out and out striker, he has to search for solutions quickly.

 

 

Flick’s era at Bayern came as a surprise. He was a deputy to Niko Kovac in 2019. Kovac was sacked in late 2019 for failing to lead Bayern collectively. Flick was given the chance to take the centre stage. He was just expected to see out the season and nothing tangible was expected of him. He used this to the fullest advantage as he unleashed all his prowesses on the Bavarians.

The German implemented a fluid style of football from the back with emphasis on ball possession also. He gave incredible freedom to his full-backs to roam forward and impact their attacks. More importantly, he inspired the jaded Bayern unit to get back to winning ways. An unprecedented sextuple followed with incredible successes seen in the league and Europe.

Flick now comes into the national team with high expectations. He has the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders. He should be wary of the 2022 world cup approaching now and set his team accordingly.

 

HOW DOES GERMANY LINEUP UNDER FLICK?

Flick’s priority is to shift to a back four and allow the players to play in their normal position. Let us break down Flick and his probable Germany lineup position by position.

Manuel Neuer is expected to continue in the goal for them at least till the 2022 World Cup. Flick holds Neuer in high regard and the Bayern number one would be his first choice definitely.

 

 

A rejig in defence might be needed as Mats Hummels wasn’t the force we expected him to be at the Euros. Antonio Rudiger and Niklas Sule might compete with him for the starting spot. Robin Gosens who impressed at the Euros would definitely keep his spot as the left-back. Ridle Baku an exciting prospect might be brought in on the opposite flank. Attacking fullbacks play a key role in Flick’s system.

With Toni Kroos’ retirement, it is easy to pick Flick’s midfield. His favorite duo of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka would be the defensive pivot. This would see Kimmich restored to the center of the field from a wing-back role. It is learned that Flick wants to build his team around Kai Havertz. Havertz might either be deployed as a number 10 or a false nine based on Thomas Muller’s decision on his career.

 

 

Segre Gnabry who was mediocre at the Euros would take the wing as he exploded under Flick from that position. Leroy Sane might be expected to sneak in. As they have no proper strikers, Flick might be tempted to bring Kevin Volland into his Germnay lineup. We can also expect him to go without a proper number 9 like Guardiola and trust Timo Werner at the top. Flick can give more game time to a youngster like Jamaal Musiala to impress.

POSISBLE LINEUP:

4-2-3-1

Neuer;

Baku, Sule, Hummels, Gosens;

Kimmich, Goretzka;

Gnabry, Muller, Sane;

Havertz

Pranav Venkatesh

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