Hansi Flick did not adopt an alarmist tone.

The sober analysis, however, left nothing to be desired in its clarity.

For the national coach, the performance of the German teams in the Champions League is a “reflection” of the situation in the Bundesliga: Bayern are right at the top - and then nothing for a long time.

Christian Kamp

Sports editor.

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While the sporting appearances of the Munich team under his successor Julian Nagelsmann are "absolutely top" at all levels, there is currently no other team that can keep up, he said on Thursday at a digital media round. "You have to say that there is currently no competitor", stated Flick and added, referring to Borussia Dortmund: "In the end, the four points that Bayern are now ahead are a small preliminary decision."

On Saturday, FC Bayern won the top game at BVB 3-2. The fact that in addition to Dortmund, RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg were eliminated in the Champions League after the preliminary round is not a good picture for German football overall. "We cannot be satisfied that we only send Bayern Munich into the next round," he said. The last time that happened was four years ago.

As Flick raved about the English Premier League in this context, the Bundesliga appeared, all in all, left behind.

It was an "enormous difference," said Flick, also referring to the investments made there.

"The Premier League is another category, quite frankly." Flick recently spent several days in England with his assistants and had two league games (Liverpool - Arsenal and Manchester City - Everton) and a championship League match (Chelsea - Juventus) viewed.

It was exciting to see three top teams "who have completely different philosophies," he reported.

Flick: door open to young players

Flick did not derive any competitive disadvantage for the national team. The conclusion of his first semester as national coach was friendly in his report on the situation of the football nation, not only because of the sovereign qualification for the World Cup in Qatar. Especially the 4: 1 at the end in Armenia showed “that we have a good breadth” - and more talents than assumed six months or nine months ago.

That, one could add, could also have something to do with Flick's willingness to put his trust in them. In any case, the group of national players with currently “30, 35 in focus” is noticeably larger than under Joachim Löw. He specifically mentioned Karim Adeyemi, Florian Wirtz, Nico Schlotterbeck and David Raum. The door for more young players is open, said Flick. This also applies to the somewhat older Mats Hummels, although Flick sounded more reserved when he realized that there was “currently no great need” for the position in central defense.

In the coming week, Flick will travel to Qatar with a delegation from the German Football Association to look for a place to stay. The next sporting measure will then be in March with international matches against - according to his wish - a well-known European opponent and one from another continent.

The special challenge of the World Cup in Qatar is the start only eight days after the last Bundesliga game, which is why he attaches great importance to individual preparatory work even outside of the common time.

"We have a short preparation, we have to prepare ourselves well," said the national coach and promised this for all areas - expressly also for those in whom the otherwise shining example of German football had not shown itself to be prepared, keyword Qatar and human rights: "You saw at Bayern Munich how important it is to the fans."