Mark Flekken of SC Freiburg is set to make his debut in goal for the Dutch national team. Bondscoach Louis van Gaal is said to have opted for the SC Freiburg keeper – even against Germany?
When the Dutch national team plays a friendly against Denmark in Amsterdam on Saturday evening (20:45), Mark Flekken will most likely be in goal. Bondscoach Louis van Gaal gave the SC Freiburg keeper hope for his debut in the Oranje goal.
Because van Gaal has to do without two keepers: Veteran Jasper Cillessen (FC Valencia) is injured as well as Justin Bijlow of Feyenoord Rotterdam. According to Dutch media reports, Flekken has now won a three-way battle against Tim Krul (Norwich City) and Joel Drommel (PSV Eindhoven). Van Gaal plans to try out a new system in the friendlies with the three-man defence – and sees Flekken as the ideal goalkeeper: “Flekken is perfectly suited to play behind a three-man defence,” the former Bayern coach said at a KNVB press conference on Monday. “That’s what he does at Freiburg. “
Flekken had already been called up for the Dutch national team squad last autumn, but van Gaal had opted for the more experienced Cillessen in the decisive World Cup qualifier against Norway at the time.
Flekken happy about Bijlow’s absence: “Otherwise I would be lying “
“I have already received the good news from the Bondscoach”, Flekken is quoted as saying by “1Limburg”. At the beginning, Flekken told “NOS”, his whole body was shaking “for an hour”. “But after that it became weaker,” he said. Flekken also admitted that he was initially happy when he received the news that Bijlow would also be missing due to injury. “Otherwise I would be lying” said the SCF keeper. “But I also know what situation he is in and I wrote him a message,” Flekken added. Flekken himself missed large parts of the 2020/21 season due to an elbow injury. “I’ve been through a few injuries myself, so I know what that does to you.”
For himself, it is now a matter of getting to know his colleagues and the other system in detail in daily training. “Of course, I also have to get used to the fact that I haven’t played with these guys that often,” Flekken said. ” I have to bond with them.”
In addition, Flekken can also look forward to an early reunion with reunions with quite a few colleagues from the Bundesliga. Because on 29th And according to van Gaal, if Flekken proves himself on his debut, he also has a good chance of standing between the posts against Germany.
