Hansi Flick spoke about Israel at the beginning and at the end.

First it was about "respect for history", about the fact that "a game against Israel is always something special", as the national coach said.

Flick reported on personal connections and visits, also from his time as sports director, and said: "The relationship between the two countries is characterized by friendship and solidarity."

Christian Kamp

sports editor.

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The test match this Saturday in Sinsheim (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for international matches and on ZDF) is the fifth comparison, the first was 35 years ago in Tel Aviv, the last to date was in Leipzig in 2012.

At the end of the press conference on Friday in Neu-Isenburg, Flick then spoke about the sporting present.

He paid tribute to the Israeli youth work, the fruits of which were also evident in the U21s, before taking a special look at Munas Dabbur.

Flick not only called the TSG Hoffenheim professional, who practically has a home game in Sinsheim, a “very good wall player” who was “always a goal threat”.

He also revealed that Dabbur is part of his team at Comunio, the virtual manager game.

There, however, joked Flick, Dabbur didn't score enough points for him.

As for his own team, the national coach revealed that Marc-André ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp will share the goal post, that Nico Schlotterbeck will make his debut in central defense, that Ilkay Gündogan will start in midfield – and that it will be at Joshua Kimmich "nothing new", Munich is not there because of the forthcoming birth of his third child.

In addition, Flick left it at hints, some of which were tough.

Jamal Musiala, for example, can prepare for an important role in view of the almost effusive praise.

Timo Werner, on the other hand, was told by telephone that the national coach expected him to do more on his own behalf.

"He just has to offer himself," said Flick, referring to Werner's playing time at Chelsea.

Werner's teammate Antonio Rüdiger, on the other hand, can be sure of the esteem of the national coach, partly because of his speed.

"If you have speed at the back, it's always very good," said Flick.

By the way, he also said something about Mats Hummels.