DFB women’s crisis: “It’s just frustrating”

TOCoach Britta Carlson also blamed too much concern for safety as a reason for the crisis facing German footballers. “We still didn’t shoot enough. We always have to give up responsibility, make one more cross,” the 45-year-old complained after Friday night’s 2-0 defeat at the start of the Nations League in Denmark. Too often, first contact with the ball is backwards, which “is still a safety principle. We still lack that self-confidence to think boldly about the future.”

A good seven weeks ago, the European vice-champion had already failed in the preliminary round of the World Championships in Australia. After the first of six rounds in Group 3 of the Nations League League A, the German team is now in fourth and last place. Only the group winner advances to the final round and thus has a chance to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris next year.

What’s next for the coach?

“It’s just a shame that despite the effort and despite the will, we somehow can’t score goals and points,” said goalkeeper Merle Froms, who was beaten twice by Denmark’s Amalie Vangsgaard (23/64 minutes). In the second game on Friday, Iceland beat Wales 1-0 thanks to a header from Bayern captain Gladis Viggosdottir. The Icelanders will face the German team in Bochum on Tuesday (18:15 on ZDF). After a bad start, winning a home game is almost a must.

Carlson will once again have primary responsibility for the DFB team under captain Alexandra Popp; she will represent the ill national team coach Martine Voss-Tecklenburg until further notice. It is completely unclear if or when the 55-year-old will return to the field. Carlson doesn’t want a longer break. “I would like to see clarity for everyone,” the 45-year-old said. “Whether it’s the coaching staff, the team. Because I just want us Germany to become as strong as we were before.”

Things still need to continue, with the game against Iceland on Tuesday and then the next fixtures in the new competition in October, with Wales first in Sinsheim (October 27), followed by the return match. location in Iceland (October 31). The last two games in the group against Denmark (1 December) and Wales (5 December) are scheduled for early December.

Carlson originally took over the role from Martina Voss-Tecklenburg two weeks ago. The much-criticised national team coach will miss September’s international matches due to illness. The process of coming to terms with the failed World Cup is not yet complete, and the future of MVT remains unclear. “We’ve always said it would take time for Martina to get healthy again,” said Carlson, who has ruled out a permanent promotion to the national team’s front row.

The previous assistant admitted that this topic continues to worry the team. “I’d be lying if it wasn’t so. The topic of the conversation is clear. First of all, because Martina is not feeling well. It’s never nice when someone gets sick,” she said. “And it’s hard for everyone. Also because you don’t know exactly what will happen next, because the analysis is simply not finished yet.”