German footballers: There are many construction sites before the start of the World Cup

The blue tapes on Lena Oberdorf’s thighs, the bandages on Sjoeke Nüsken’s knees and the frustrated expression of Maria Hegering, who is only jogging around Wyong’s square. The defensive prepares national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg a headache before the World Cup opening game of the German soccer team against Morocco.

After the recent weak friendlies, the question arises anyway: will the European runners-up go to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in top form? On Monday, the DFB team will start the tournament against Morocco (10.30 a.m. / ZDF) and that with several construction sites.

Defense chief Marina Hegering can no longer train in central defense because of her bruised heel and is definitely out. For the position next to her Wolfsburg colleague Kathrin Hendrich, Sjoeke Nüsken would have been the first alternative. But the Frankfurter, who will switch to Chelsea after the tournament, has stretched the lateral ligament in her knee – use uncertain. Since Lena Lattwein sees herself more in midfield than in defence, Eintracht players Sara Doorsoun and Sophia Kleinherne remain as substitutes.

Marina Hegering is definitely out against Morocco

There are also problems on the defensive flanks. Like at the European Championships in England, Felicitas Rauch from Wolfsburg is on the left. However, her backup Carolin Simon tore her cruciate ligament in the last friendly against Zambia. Due to the same injury, Giulia Gwinn (both Bayern Munich) has been missing for a long time.

Kleinherne represented her more often, but recently Voss-Tecklenburg surprisingly turned the experienced Svenja Huth into a right-back. She is considered a “little calf biter” (according to Rauch), but was previously an important winger for Alexandra Popp. Basically, the German players recently lacked duel toughness and athleticism compared to their opponents, who were often mostly more robust.

The national coach has to hope in defensive midfield. This position stands for the important Oberdorf for the DFB women. After suffering a muscle injury in her thigh, the 21-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg completed most of the training sessions on Saturday and, according to the DFB, will also attend the final training session in Melbourne on Sunday.

Voss-Tecklenburg has not yet given the green light for the game against Morocco, but told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”: “For the second group game against Colombia, I can say that Obi is definitely fit again.” Oberdorf was named best young player at the 2022 European Championships in England. She could be represented by Chelsea professional Melanie Leupolz, the only mother in the DFB selection, or Lattwein.

Recently, the Germans also had problems at the front

Recently, however, the Germans also had problems at the front. In the disappointing friendlies against Vietnam (2-1) and Zambia (2-3), the chances were a big handicap. Asked about the biggest construction site in the team, Alexandra Popp said: “I would almost say: in the goal”. She had to laugh at that.

The Bundesliga top scorer, who was the big star of the European Championship with six goals last year, also meant herself. The 32-year-old only scored one international goal this year. Which, in her opinion, is also due to the fact that she often acts further back in Wolfsburg. But the deficit can also be seen with Klara Bühl or Jule Brand and the midfielders Lina Magull and Sara Däbbritz.

All in all, it seems as if the German team is not yet ready for this World Cup. But even before the European Championship last year there were some question marks in the preparation and then an intoxicating 4-0 win against Denmark to start with. Maybe the German players will remember it again, there is nothing to shake about the clear favorites against the Moroccans anyway.