By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Serge Gnabry is convinced that the German national team can be successful without a traditional spearhead.
"Every team might like to have a pure box-striker such as Robert Lewandowski, who is continuously scoring goals," the Bayern forward said after he delivered his 20th goal in his 30th outing in the German shirt.
No other player of the German team can count on a similar successful goal record.
"We can rely on several players able to score without being seen as traditional box-strikers," the 26-year-old added after Germany beat Romania 2-1 in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Gnabry mentioned team-mates such as Leroy Sane, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Thomas Mueller.
"We should stop talking about what we don't have and instead trust the ones we have," Gnabry said.
As he wanted to confirm Gnabry's statements, Mueller scored the second German goal, ending up at 40 goals in 107 internationals. The Bayern forward secured the fourth victory in the fourth encounter of newly promoted German national coach Hansi Flick.
"It feels like a satisfying re-start. The team is acting with a new spirit," Mueller added. Flick spoke about a new enthusiasm among fans triggered by a determined team.
Statistics seem to back Flick's perspective.
Nine of the 14 goals in the 2014 world champions' recent four games were scored by Sane, Werner, and Gnabry.
Not only Bayern striker Gnabry seems a perfect match for former Bayern manager Flick on his way to increase his squad's game-speed.
"The performance in Hamburg was a hard piece of work. But Germany proved they run their games with additional passion, creating more chances over 90 minutes and are counting on increased speed," German record international and TV pundit Lothar Matthaeus said.
Germany's Man of the Match against Romania developed to a vital force not only in the national team. In the current season of the national league, the Bayern forward provided four goals and three assists for his club after seven rounds of matches.
"I am happy as I managed to continue my good performance. The season start has been an improvement compared to the last season. Now it seems to go on," Gnabry stated.
The 2020 treble winner praised Flick's tactical changes "as we have many fast players who like to play fast football."
Media reports speak of the Bayern attacker extending his contract with Bayern shortly following the example of Joshua Kimmich (2025) and Leon Goretzka (2026).
Reports talk of a significant pay rise for Gnabry, increasing his yearly salary from nine to 15 million euros.
Like Flick, Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann is pleased about Gnabry's performance. The 34-year-old has told his forward to more rely on his street-football gens.
"Serge is a player that needs the freedom to decide what his instincts tell him. It's important for him not to overthink things too much. Thinking too much about what is right or wrong, is affecting his actions," the Bayern coach commented. Enditem
