Wales want to make sure their performance is on point, as they prepare to take on two-time World Cup winners Germany.
The only blemish in the run-up to the fixture at the ProZero Arena, home of Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, has been the withdrawal of Rachel Rowe.
The Rangers player has been ruled out with injury, but manager Gemma Grainger says the squad has the depth to replace her talents.
“Rachel is a huge loss just like any player is. One of the things that’s really pleasing for me is that, with the players we have in the squad, we have a number of options in many positions, and that’s something we’ve been building on for some time.
“We’ve always been driving for that depth so I’m happy with that.”
In terms of players who are fit, Hannah Cain is back having not been involved in October’s fixtures.
Grainger has made no bones about the fact the attack needs to improve, and she believes Cain possess some attributes that can provide an injection that the front line needs.
“It’s great to have Hannah back. She’s worked so hard to get over the injuries that she’s suffered over the last couple of years, and it’s great to see her playing in the WSL with Leicester.
“Her attributes are clear for all to see. Her pace, her technique, but also her determination, we’ve seen that when she’s come back from all the injuries. She wants to put on the shirt, and she wants to do what she can.”
Performance over result?
The biggest thing that concerned Wales fans against Denmark in particular, was the fact that the performance of the team wasn’t at the level we’ve come to expect.
Against France last year, Wales were performing at their peak, and it felt like we could have beaten one of the world’s best.
A good performance against this Germany side will go along way to putting Wales back on track, and that’s what Grainger wants to see.
“We’re a group where these players are being exposed to playing against the best players and teams in Europe. That exposure is the value for us right now. We have to perform in these games.
“We reviewed the Denmark and Iceland games and we’re asking ourselves; did we deliver what we wanted to, and what was the level of the performance? I believe we can compete against any team if we deliver our gameplan and every player does their job.
“Of course, we want to win games, but we have to focus on our journey and where we want to go. We’re going to make sure we grab this opportunity against Germany with both hands.”
For captain Sophie Ingle, winning is in her DNA, especially looking at her club career.
Every player wants to win, but there is a recognition from the captain that a good performance will lead to better results down the line.
“We want to get points on the board, but going off of the last game, we want to put in a good performance. If we do that, then that’s how you begin to get your points in the table.
“We’re under no illusion that it will be a tough game, we’re playing against a very good Germany team. But if we tweak a few things from the last game, there’s no reason why we can’t do something special.”
Germany Task
After an early departure from this summer’s World Cup and a defeat in the first Nations League game against Denmark, there might be some who will view Germany as a wounded animal.
Will that make them more of a danger? We will see on Friday, but Grainger knows no matter what, Germany will always be a tough test.
“Historically and today, Germany are just one of the best women’s teams in the world. We’re not thinking too much about their World Cup exit or where they are as a team currently.
“We know how good they are, their players are so experienced, their squad has had so much exposure to big games over the last couple of years, and their winning record speaks for itself. We would never underestimate a German team.”
Since the games in October, there has been a change in the German dugout.
Long time manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg was replaced by Horst Hrubesch, who is in interim charge. Hrubesch has had an interim stint before with the women’s national team, along with roles in giants of the German game like Hamburg and Dynamo Dresden.
“I know a little bit about him. I know he’s been in interim charge of the team previously. The Germans are so strong in their planning and putting structures in place, so the decision the DFB have made I’m sure has been done with a lot of thought and it’s the best decision for their team.”
In terms of the players, Sjoeke Nüsken has made a tremendous start to life in the WSL.
The midfielder moved to Chelsea this summer from Eintracht Frankfurt, and no one knows more about the danger she poses than Ingle.
“She’s a quality young player. She’s shown her strengths already and she’s only been at Chelsea for a few months, and I think she’s only going to develop further in our team.
“She can play as a holding midfielder, she can play as a ten, and I think for Germany she plays centre-back. She’s willing to get forward and I think she can add a lot to her game while at Chelsea.”
Another midfielder Ingle could face is Lena Oberdorf. The Wolfsburg player has already accomplished so much in her career, and Ingle says she can go all the way to the top.
“It’s crazy to think she’s only 21. She’s got at least ten years left in her career, but the strengths she’s already showing are amazing for such a young player.
“She plays regularly for Wolfsburg; she’s played in Champions League finals and a European Championship final. She’s great for Germany, and she’s definitely one of the best midfielders around right now.”
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