Hansi Flick has announced the selection with which Germany is preparing for the exhibition games against Israel and the the Dutch. The national coach of the Mannschaft surprised with a call-up for Julian Weigl, who this week beat Ajax (0-1) with Benfica in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The 26-year-old midfielder was last invited to the German national team five years ago, for which he played five times. Germany will visit the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Tuesday 29 March for the friendly against the Netherlands.
The German selection also has a debutant with Anton Stach. The 23-year-old midfielder of FSV Mainz became European champion with Young Germany last summer. “He still has room for improvement, but we want to see what he offers us,” says Flick of Stach. In addition to Weigl, Robin Koch (Leeds United) and Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig) are also returning to the selection after a period of absence.
Against Israel and the Netherlands, Flick will have to do without the injured Niklas Süle (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) in his 26-man squad. Furthermore, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels (both Borussia Dortmund) are missing due to injuries. In addition, the international matches come too early for Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) and Robin Gosens (Inter Milan), who recently returned from a long injury.
The full selection†
Target: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defense: Mathias Ginter (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Christian Günter, Nico Schlotterbeck (both SC Freiburg), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Thilo Kehrer (Paris Saint-Germain), Robin Koch (Leeds United), David Raum (TSG Hoffenheim), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfield: Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain), Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala (all Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Florian Neuhaus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Anton Stach (FSV Mainz 05), Julian Weigl (Benfica)
Attack: Karim Adeyemi (Red Bull Salzburg), Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané (both Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Lukas Nmecha (VfL Wolfsburg), Timo Werner (Chelsea)