DFB squad with "bullock chain" against Austria?
Mats Hummels was in the thick of it when the national team became world champions in the summer of 2014 with the "ox chain". The three, sometimes even four tall central defenders in the back line concentrated on defending in Brazil, while others whirled up front.
After conceding 20 goals in the ten international matches so far in 2023, six in three games with national coach Julian Nagelsmann, Hummels answered the question about the former success model rather diplomatically before the end of the season this Tuesday (8.45pm) in Vienna against Austria.
"Ochsenkette, I don't know whether that would be a big advantage or disadvantage directly," said the 34-year-old Borussia Dortmund veteran. "I think it rather describes the fact that they are defensive-minded players. It all depends on how the team is put together overall." There are "different variants, in which there are not only oxen".
Nagelsmann's options
In the 3-2 draw against Turkey in Berlin, Nagelsmann had sent Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah into central defense, with Benjamin Henrichs defending on the right. And Kai Havertz on the left - but only in defensive movement, with the Arsenal professional becoming an offensive "joker" when in possession, as Austria coach Ralf Rangnick observed. Nagelsmann confirmed that he does not want to deviate from the basic system. Instead of Havertz, however, another professional could also play this role.
The fact that Hummels sat next to the national coach on the press podium on Monday is an indication that the 2014 world champion will move into the starting eleven. For the solid Tah? For Rüdiger, who is the leader of the defense but showed signs of uncertainty against Turkey? Tah - like Niklas Süle - can also play as a full-back, while Henrichs can switch sides. The squad also includes a left-sided player in David Raum.
Practice, practice, practice
"It's a matter of training sessions together, games together, video sessions together, that we're getting there more and more," said Hummels about the deficiencies in the defensive work. "We are a team with very, very many, very good attacking players. It's quite conceivable that we might win 3:2 rather than 1:0 at some point, but that would be perfectly okay." The big task is to strike a balance. "Then we'll be an absolute top team," said Hummels.
In the context of the national team's defense, Hummels mentioned the "ox chain" as a description of defensive-minded players, referencing the successful World Cup team in 2014. With Nagelsmann having various defensive options like Rüdiger, Tah, Süle, Henrichs, and Raum, we might see a resemblance of the "ox chain" in the team's formation against Austria.
Source: www.dpa.com
