Two VfL Wolfsburg players are benefiting from the Corona absences from the national team: Maximilian Arnold and Ridle Baku have been post-nominated – and had a short journey to the DFB team.
Instead of training with their Wolfsburg teammates and playing a test match against Hansa Rostock on Wednesday , it was over to the national team hotel for Maximilian Arnold and Ridle Baku on Tuesday. In the morning, national coach Hansi Flick called VfL coach Florian Kohfeldt, who was of course happy to release his two players. “I’m very happy for them, especially for Max. He has earned this.” And that too in Wolfsburg “at his location, at his club”.
Arnold played his only international match to date in 2014 against Poland (0:0), and since then the DFB has ignored him. In April, when the European Championship train left without him and also team-mate Baku despite a strong season at VfL, the 27-year-old asked himself: “What more can I do?” Arnold even believed at the time that “we lack a bit of a lobby. If I would bring the performances in another jersey, maybe it would be easier. “
I am optimistic that they can show the national coach that they can belong there permanently.
Now the return due to the Corona emergency situation that arose at short notice. Kohfeldt emphasised that he had spoken to Flick last week not only about Lukas Nmecha, who was nominated for the first time, but also about Arnold and Baku. The national coach emphasised “that he has his eye on them”. And now he needs them sooner than he thought.
For Arnold and Baku, who has already played two international matches, it is a chance to leave their mark on the DFB team. At least that’s what their new club coach hopes. “I’m optimistic that they can show the national coach that they can be part of it permanently,” says Kohfeldt. “It’s a good sign that they belong to the circle of those who are being watched. Now it’s up to them to play their way in.” Starting on Wednesday in their own “living room” against Liechtenstein.