Hansi Flick has announced the final selection for the exhibition games against Japan and France. Some established names are missing and there is also a place for Pascal Groß. The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder makes his debut for the German national team at the age of 32.
Some big stars that are missing are Leon Goretzka and Timo Werner. The former is very disappointed in Flick’s choice, as he had finally managed to play his way back into Bayern Munich’s starting line-up this season. “Werner and Goretzka are not in shape and have to work on certain things. But I am convinced that they will return to the national team,” Flick said of the situation.
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???? Frankreich ?? in Dortmund am Dienstag, September 12 (from 21:00 Uhr, ARD) ??#DFBTeam #GERJPN #GERFRA pic.twitter.com/SZrxWJUeY8— DFB Team (@DFB_Team) August 31, 2023
In addition, four more players were left out of the selection, who were active at the World Cup in Qatar last winter. These are David Raum, Lukas Klostermann (both RB Leipzig), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United) and Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg). Flick also has room for Felix Nmecha, the midfielder of Borussia Dortmund was selected for the first time in March and can now prepare for duels with his country again.
Other big names such as Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sané (all Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gündoga, Marc-André ter Stegen (both FC Barcelona) and Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) are included in the selection . Because the European Championship of 2024 is organized by Germany itself, the country does not have to play qualifying matches. Flick’s team will therefore practice against Japan on September 9 and against France on September 12.