MY ACCOUNT
Germany head coach Hansi Flick was pleased with his team’s 4-1 win in Armenia as they brought a successful World Cup qualification campaign to an end on Sunday.
Goals from Kai Havertz, Jonas Hofmann and a brace from Ilkay Gundogan saw the Germans home in Yerevan. The victory means that Flick has won all of his first seven games in charge of Die Mannschaft, scoring 31 times and conceding just twice.
It is also their joint-longest winning run this century (also seven in 2017). The last time Germany had a longer winning run was across 1979 and 1980, when they managed 12 in a row.
They finish their World Cup qualifying campaign top of Group J having won nine of their ten games, a comfortable nine points ahead of North Macedonia in second.
“We won 4-1 and achieved our aim of ending the group on 27 points,” Flick said after the game. “It wasn’t all brilliant, but the way we try to play football is great. You can see that the team always wants to attack and create chances.
“We defend high up the pitch and then allow them a few opportunities on the break, though that’s just normal. We know what we need to improve on; we’ve got time for that.
“I’m satisfied with the team. We’ve won seven games together now, so I can only congratulate them. It’s great as the coach to see the team enjoying themselves so much.”
Thomas Muller was also pleased with the win, emphasising the importance of getting off to a good start in a “new era” for the national side.
“I think that was a good performance from us overall,” the Bayern Munich attacker said. “It wasn’t a goal-fest like against Liechtenstein, but we got the job done well. The first goal was important for us and was really well-made. We were concentrated and committed. It’s a good way to finish off the campaign.
“A new era began in September for the first time since 2006. You can see that we’ve played well over the last three months and we want to continue doing so. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch, everyone will give their all and do their job.
“We may not have played any big teams, but we have performed really well at times. We can go into next year with a positive mindset now. We’re happy.”
