Arsenal benchwarmer Bernd Leno was given preference over Kevin Trapp in Hansi Flick’s squad nomination – because there is a “clear ranking” right now, according to the national coach.
In the World Cup qualifier against Romania, national coach Hansi Flick had to make do with only two goalkeepers. Because Manuel Neuer had to miss the match due to adductor problems, Marc-André ter Stegen stood between the posts in Hamburg, Bernd Leno was the first substitute – not Kevin Trapp.
The number 1 from Eintracht Frankfurt had been part of Flick’s first squad in August, but had to make way this time because ter Stegen was fully fit again after his knee operation. But why was Trapp also preferred to Leno, who lost his place in goal at Arsenal FC to Aaron Ramsdale?
“We have a clear ranking,” Flick stressed once again on the RTL microphone on Friday evening before the Romania game: “One, two, three, four.” And there Leno remains number three ahead of Trapp, who had made such an outstanding save in Frankfurt’s 2-1 coup at FC Bayern just before the international break.
Flick believes in Leno – Neuer likely to be back on Monday
We have clearly communicated this ranking to the players so that everyone knows where they stand at the moment. But everyone also has the opportunity to improve in this ranking,” Flick had explained this week in the big kicker interview and expressed his hope that Leno “will become number 1 at Arsenal again. We are convinced of his quality. “
At the same time, “of course we are happy that Kevin has kept so outstandingly,” Flick, who had already announced his line-up before Trapp’s gala in Munich, added on Friday. “Everyone can bring themselves back into the team through performance. From that point of view, he can be very satisfied, we are also satisfied.”
When Germany take on northern Macedonia on Monday, the current DFB goalkeeping trio will be complete again. “I think,” Flick said of Neuer, “that he will be fit again for Monday. “
