DFB: Three conceded penalties in five games – Fans don't see Schlotterbeck as a starting lineup candidate

By Jasmin Eigl

In the Nations League match between the German national team and England, the last real test before the World Cup in Qatar, Nico Schlotterbeck made a negative impression. With his aggressive tackling and risky challenges, he repeatedly caused a stir in the DFB jersey recently. In his five appearances under Hansi Flick, he has already conceded three penalties – an alarming statistic that is occupying the coaching staff and fans of the German team. For this reason, FanQ asked German football fans whether the central defender still has his place in the starting line-up secured.

Schlotterbeck's aggressive style of play carries risks

The young defender from Borussia Dortmund's ranks is one of the new faces in the national team. He was able to convince Hansi Flick with his aggressive tackling and his bold diagonal passes. The BVB officials were also impressed with the youngster's performances, even when he was still playing for SC Freiburg. Ultimately, Sebastian Kehl and his colleagues felt the services of the shooting star were worth 20 million euros last summer. It's no wonder, as the 22-year-old possesses all the qualities a top centre-back needs with his style of play.

Even national coach Hansi Flick did not miss Schlotterbeck's development, and so the defensive player made his debut in the DFB jersey at the end of March this year. The defender is also characterised by his passion and emotions on the pitch. This could be observed in the last Nations League match when he verbally spurred on the national team after a near-goal by the English. In build-up play, the 22-year-old stood out with his diagonal passes to the wingers, which were both successful and unsuccessful. If these balls always arrived, they would guarantee more goal threat in the German attack.

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On the other hand, in his five appearances for Hansi Flick's team, his aggressive defensive behaviour already resulted in three penalties. Although Kevin Trapp managed to save the first, such actions symbolise the uncertainty that still prevails in the German defence at times. Schlotterbeck's last faux pas of this kind occurred in the match against the ‚Three Lions‘, when he unnecessarily fouled his BVB teammate Jude Bellingham in his own penalty area. Harry Kane converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-3 at the time. With his style of play, the youngster is walking on thin ice.

National coach Hansi Flick is also concerned about the weakening defensive performance and the penalty shootout: „Especially at a World Cup, such things are deadly, you get knocked out faster than you think,“ he warned his players after the match in England. The 57-year-old did not openly criticise Schlotterbeck directly, but the BVB defender should quickly get rid of these habits in his defensive play.

Due to current events, FanQ surveyed football fans in Germany on whether they would like to see Schlotterbeck in the starting line-up for the upcoming World Cup. Almost two-thirds (66.34 %) of those surveyed were against the 22-year-old. In contrast, only 23.26 %would like to see him on the pitch from the start at the tournament in the desert state.