Work ahead: First step done for Germany but transforming into a contender harder

DPA Skopje Germany coach Hansi Flick said he was “proud” of his team as World Cup qualification was secured with two games to spare on Monday but few - ins...

DPASkopjeGermany coach Hansi Flick said he was “proud” of his team as World Cup qualification was secured with two games to spare on Monday but few - inside the squad or out - believe anything other than the hard work is just beginning with 13 months until the finals in Qatar.Kicker magazine called Germany’s qualification “just logical” and “to be expected” from a group containing Romania, North Macedonia, Armenia, Iceland and Liechtenstein.It was in Skopje that qualification was assured with a 4-0 romp over a North Macedonia side which, however, had shocked Germany at home in the reverse fixture in March as the era of former coach Joachim Loew limped to an end.Flick has lifted things quickly, with five wins out of five since he took over after Euro 2020, booking the first slot at Qatar alongside the hosts.“Now it’s about continuing on the chosen path,” said Kicker, “because the biggest challenges are still to come.” There is little doubt about that. Few would compare Germany’s current level favourably with that of France or Spain, who just contested the Nations League final at the weekend, or even Italy or Belgium, who came third and fourth.And sitting only 14th in the world rankings presently, a tough draw as only second seeds in Qatar seems inevitable with at least one high-flying opponent all but certain in the group stage of the tournament which begins in November next year.“I think that the team has developed,” said Flick. “You’ve seen again what mentality there is on the pitch. Of course everything has not worked out 100 per cent, of course a little bit of precision was missing here or there. But you still have to say: we have never let up.” Timo Werner’s clinical double was sandwiched by Kai Havertz’s opener and Jamal Musiala’s clincher though Germany could have ended with a tally even higher against their overwhelmed opponents.Werner was backed by his coach but it is the likes of Havertz, a 22-year-old Champions League winner also with Chelsea, and 18-year-old Bayern Munich winger Musiala who symbolise the true hope for the World Cup.While captain Manuel Neuer and the recalled Thomas Mueller, veterans of the triumph of 2014 in Brazil, may steady the ship, it is clear a youthful renewal is needed.Karim Adeyemi (19) of Red Bull Salzburg and Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz, a year younger, are others who will be expected to force themselves into the starting eleven sooner rather than later.Concluding ties against Liechtenstein and Armenia next month officially end qualifying but in truth preparations are just beginning.“We can and we must improve certain things and develop,” said Flick.“It’s a long way to the World Cup.”