Bundestrainer Hansi Flick emphasized the “fantastic quality” of the opponent before the important World Cup game against Spain. “I appreciate Luis Enrique very much,” said Flick about the Spanish coach and praised the “enormous quality” of the young star players Gavi (18) and Pedri (20).
The “heart” of the Spanish team is Sergio Busquets (34). “Unfortunately, my favorite player is not there – Thiago,” said Flick about his former player at FC Bayern. The DFB selection is before the game on Sunday (20.00 CET in the FAZ live ticker for the soccer World Cup, on ZDF and on MagentaTV) before the end of the group phase.
Flick sat alone on the podium at the press conference the day before the landmark group game. A fine from the world governing body FIFA is possible. According to FIFA regulations, the World Cup teams are obliged to hold a press conference with the head coach and a player the day before the game.
Flick justified the violation of FIFA regulations before the game by focusing on sport. “We didn’t want to expect any player to drive here for so long, it’s almost three hours in total. Tomorrow is a very important game for us, so I said: I’ll do it alone,” said Flick at the press conference in the international media center in Doha: “During this important phase, the players should prepare for the training that we will do this evening to have.”
The final training of the DFB selection for the Spain duel was scheduled by Flick for 7.30 p.m. Qatar time (5.30 p.m. / CET) in Al-Shamal, not far from the team hotel.
