Cora Zicai and Alara Sehitler make their debut for the DFB team as national coach Christian Wück seeks to nurture young talent amidst challenges. With veteran players retiring, the inclusion of these young athletes, along with goalkeeper Sophia Winkler, marks a significant transition for the team. Wück aims to broaden his player pool for upcoming matches, emphasizing the potential impact of youth in the squad while addressing a lack of defensive depth.
Introducing Young Talents to the DFB Team
In a significant move for women’s football, Cora Zicai and Alara Sehitler are stepping onto the pitch for the DFB team for the very first time. The new national coach, Christian Wück, is eager to expand his talent pool, but he is facing challenges that are proving frustrating.
As Zicai and Sehitler make their debut, former world champion Nia Künzer can’t help but smile. “The two have no idea what is happening to them,” remarks the DFB sports director. Meanwhile, Wück expresses his commitment to showcasing youth talent during the final international matches of the year, while also voicing concerns over the scarcity of elite players.
Shaping the Future of Women’s Football
Striker Zicai, who plays for SC Freiburg and is celebrating her 20th birthday soon, alongside midfielder Sehitler from FC Bayern, who just turned 18, symbolize a transition for the Olympic bronze medalists. This comes in light of the retirements of veteran players like Alexandra Popp and Marina Hegering. Additionally, 21-year-old goalkeeper Sophia Winkler from SGS Essen is set to make her debut this Friday against Switzerland. Wück praises her, saying, “She radiates energy and confidence, appearing composed despite her youth.” Olympic star Ann-Katrin Berger is currently taking a break but is expected to return for the Nations League matches in 2025.
As Wück prepares for upcoming test matches against Switzerland and Italy, he reflects on his desire for a broader player pool, stating, “I have spoken about wanting a pool of 30, 40 players that I can draw from. Unfortunately, we are still far from that number.” He aims to utilize these matches as a stepping stone towards that goal, drawing from his successful history in youth development.
“I was shaking all over, but I was totally happy,” shares Sehitler about receiving Wück’s call, while Zicai admits, “I fell from the clouds because it was completely unexpected.” Their initial training session was limited to the gym, but they are ready to make their mark.
“We want to expand our pool of candidates. Both players deserve it. They are making an impact despite their young age,” Wück emphasizes. He challenges the notion that young players lack the ability to influence games, expressing confidence that they will rise to the occasion.
However, Wück notes a deficiency in defensive talent, highlighting a “bottleneck” behind seasoned players like Giulia Gwinn and Sara Doorsoun. Only Wolfsburg’s Sarai Linder has recently made significant strides in filling this gap.
Wück, along with Künzer, acknowledges the benefits of the newly established U23 women’s selection, stating, “We want to test more young players with us.” Künzer adds that while the situation is somewhat forced due to retirements, it also requires bravery to embrace new opportunities for the youth.