Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels are in the 26-strong DFB squad for the 2021 European Championship. The national coach nominated the two veterans - but will they find a place in the starting line-up?
Munich / Frankfurt am Main - In the end, it was no longer a real surprise when the names of Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels could be read at the official presentation of the DFB squad * for the European Football Championship on Wednesday afternoon.
It had already been leaked in the days before that Joachim Löw would bring back the two Rio world champions for the EM 2021 *.
From a purely athletic point of view, this step is more than understandable.
Müller excelled at FC Bayern * not only as a goal scorer and template provider, but also found a special role as a leading player under coach Hansi Flick (“Radio Müller”).
Hummels also proved with the lurching BVB ship in the season ending next weekend that he can give a young team support and lead them.
This is exactly what the national coach expects in his last tournament as head coach of the Müller and Hummels national team.
“Both are integrative and know the other players,” said Löw when nominating the two veterans and made it clear: “If you take them with you, you expect certain things from them.
We do this out of a sporting conviction that you can help the team. "
EM 2021: DFB comeback perfect!
But how does Löw plan with Müller and Hummels?
But how exactly is Jogi actually planning with Müller and Hummels?
As a good-mood uncle, he will not take them to the "Home Ground" in Herzogenaurach.
BVB star Hummels will probably be chosen as the new defensive boss.
A role that was actually intended for Niklas Süle, but the central defender of FC Bayern has not been in shape since his cruciate ligament rupture in autumn 2019.
Hummels' counterpart on the offensive should be Müller - the boss of the attack department!
The 31-year-old should not act as a right winger as he used to, Löw is planning with Müller in the center.
"He was behind a top at Bayern, he can do that with us too," reveals the national coach: "Thomas can create a lot of space with his runs in the half-spaces and create dangerous situations."
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It will be interesting to see which system the DFB team will use at the EM.
In a chain of three, Hummels would take over the middle part, a kind of libero.
Antonio Rüdiger and Matthias Ginter at the Dortmunder's side.
Even with a back four, Hummels would be set, then Rüdiger would be able to defend at his side and Ginter would appear as right-back.
DFB team: Löw nominates Müller and Hummels - but how does he plan with them?
And on the offensive?
Löw actually has four regular regulars for the center with Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gündogan and Leon Goretzka.
In the case of Kroos (Corona) and Goretzka (torn muscle fiber), the coming days will show how fit they will be after their illnesses or injuries.
Nevertheless, it remains exciting how the national coach Müller wants to use "between the lines".
The DFB team has enough time to find the perfect formation.
Next Monday (28th) it's off to the training camp in Seefeld * before going to the “Home Ground” in Herzogenaurach on June 6th.
Then Löw and his team have nine days until things get really serious on June 15 in Munich against world champions France.
🗣 @esmuellert_: "I'm happy to be part of the national team again. During the pleasant and open phone calls with Joachim Löw that we had in advance of the nomination, we discussed what we both expected from each other in the coming weeks."
# Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/bbarMBgD1k
- 🏆 MEISTER 🏆 (@FCBayern) May 19, 2021
By then at the latest, the national coach will have a clear match plan to successfully start his final title mission.
Thomas Müller * and Mats Hummels will in all probability play a not inconsiderable part.
(smk) * tz.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA