By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- German national coach Hansi Flick is happy about a solid start as the successor of the recently retired Joachim Loew.
Victories in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against the underdogs Liechtenstein (2-0), Armenia (6-0), and Iceland (4-0) might not come as a surprise.
More important seems the 56-year-old's achievements regarding his team's stability and the returning enthusiasm of fans.
"This was a good start. The team was very engaged in all three games and realizes our orders," the former Bayern coach said after a perfect beginning.
Having scored 12 goals and regaining the lead in their qualification group J allows an optimistic view on the team's future.
In the country's history, only one German national coach in the person of Loew managed to win all three games after taking over.
Flick managed to revitalize people's faith and gently initiate a generation change by fitting in young talents such as Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen), Karim Adeyemi (Salzburg), Ridle Baku (Wolfsburg), and David Raum (Hoffenheim).
An unexpected stopover due to a safety check of the plane on the way back seems the only setback the newly formed squad had to take.
OFFENSIVE APPROACH
Flick has transferred his successful approach from his time as a club coach. German media speak of the team playing in German shirts using the style of 2020 treble winner Bayern.
Flick's changes allow the team to rely on its fast attackers. In default of a suitable box striker, several wingers and midfielders carry the load leading to a more unpredictable strategy.
The team claims to follow convincing orders and tactics. The midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka turn into pace-making forces after Real Madrid star Toni Kroos retired.
Kimmich said he is happy about his return to midfield as he and most of the team felt lost at the unsuccessful Euro 2020 under Loew.
Problematic cases such as Bayern's Leroy Sane improved their performance. Flick is demanding strict discipline and uses his players only in their strongest position.
Being booed by Bayern and national team fans over the past weeks, the former City star "is on his way to the top again," as Flick put it.
REALISTIC GOALS
Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer talked about the 2022 World Cup title "to set a goal to follow." Flick's approach is more reluctant as he speaks about the task to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar as the main aim.
"It's our plan to reinstall the team's confidence. We must be aware of our options and see, we can return to the top as we have the quality," Flick stated.
Within a few weeks, Flick confirmed his ability to get to his players' minds and hearts. Players talk about an emotional restart after years of stagnation following the victory at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
NEW TRAINING METHODS
Flick widened training options addressing young players' demands to use training methods of other sports to improve their performance. Having employed a free-kick coach paid off against Iceland as Kimmich's cross reached Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger scoring by a header.
"This happened on purpose, we practiced that in training," Kimmich admitted. Enditem
