No guarantees for wins but Germany is on good path says coach Flick

After crashing out of the World Cup in the first round in December last year for the second consecutive tournament, Germany has won just one of its four international matches since then.

Germany coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following a team training session. | Photo Credit: Uwe Anspach/AP

Germany’s disappointing results less than a year before it hosts Euro 2024 are part of a process that will see the four-time world champions ready in time for the tournament, coach Hansi Flick said on Monday.

After crashing out of the World Cup in the first round in December last year for the second consecutive tournament, it has won just one of its four international matches since then -- a victory over Peru in a friendly.

German fans were left whistling and jeering after their 3-3 draw at home against Ukraine and their 1-0 away loss to Poland last week but for Flick, who took over in 2021, they were all part of the team’s learning process.

“We the coaching staff and especially myself believe in the path we are on. We are seeing progress even if the result against Poland was viewed negatively,” Flick told a press conference.

“We cannot guarantee anything, unfortunately that is the case in football these days,” said Flick when asked about Germany’s chances of winning the European title on home soil next year. “Winning has become more difficult.”

Poland’s win over Germany was only its second victory in 90 years over them. Germany has now won only three of its last 10 matches.

Despite last week’s draw and the loss, Flick said he wanted to see the energy shown in their second half against Poland where Germany had several chances to level.

“We want to keep going our way. The team now has to deliver and try to win the game (against Colombia),” Flick said.

“Then we can have a bit of a positive end to these matches but the development will continue. In September things will be completely different.”

Germany hosts Japan and France in September and also play the United States in October in friendly matches.

“We have a Euro. We will prepare for that so that you also can celebrate and be happy,” he told a journalist. “That’s what is fun. What happens now is part of football, part of life. But I will go my way without compromise.

“I can only say that I am convinced that we will go through the improvements that we want to see.”