DPA
Berlin
Coach Hansi Flick’s nomination of the World Cup squad in less than two weeks will be painful for some players while others may be on the plane to Qatar despite little playing time, assistant Danny Rohl has said.
Rohl told the t-online.de portal in an interview published Saturday that they have decided on around two-thirds of the 26 players to be picked for the November 20-December 18 tournament, with the announcement set for November 10.
He added that some will miss out despite hoping for a place, and that nomination criteria go beyond football.
“It will be painful for some players. Everyone wants to go to the World Cup with Germany. But we have to think about what’s best for the squad,” Rohl said.
“It is not only about the tactical role of the players, but also the interpersonal aspect. It’s about team leadership, energy and atmosphere.
“Only 11 players can play from the start, 15 are on the bench, five of whom we can substitute. So maybe 10 players will be used little or not at all. And the lads have to be ready to give everything in training and to push the others, even if they’re on the bench during in the game.”
Rohl said that the decision on the final players will take into a account whether they can play on several positions.
He said the coaching staff is also considering the likes of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Lukas Klostermann of RB Leipzig who are closing in on a return from long-term injuries but have not yet played.
“We want to find out if such players are ready for the World Cup, and if so, in which way. When would be be ready to play in the tournament,” Rohl said.
“It’s not out of the question that we’ll take someone with us who hasn’t played a minute yet. But it would be desirable that at least one game could be played.”
