Niclas Füllkrug started for the Germany national side for the first time on Saturday evening (25/3) in their 2-0 win against Peru and impressed. The 30-year-old set Germany up for a win with a brace in the first half. “I get plenty of chances in the box and the ball is played into good areas. I’m pleased that we were able to win comfortably,” said Füllkrug after the match.
Two goals for Fülle against Peru tonight ????#werder#GERPERpic.twitter.com/FCObyNeH1V
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) March 25, 2023
Füllkrug can continue to try and extend his goal tally in the match against Belgium on Tuesday evening (28/3, 20:45 CEST). Other Green-Whites were also in action during the international break. On Friday evening (24/3), Ilia Gruev (Bulgaria), Romano Schmid (Austria) and Jiri Pavlenka (Czech Republic) began the qualification for next year’s European Championship with their national sides.
Ilia Gruev played the whole match for Bulgaria against Montenegro (1-0), but could not prevent a narrow defeat. The 22-year-old will have the chance to make up for it against Hungary on Monday evening (27/3). Jiri Pavlenka also played the full 90 minutes for Czech Republic in their convincing 3-1 victory over Poland and only had to make one save in the 87th minute. The Czech Republic’s qualifying campaign also continues on Monday evening with their second match against Moldova. Romano Schmid was also part of Austria’s squad, but the Werder midfielder, who received a late call-up, remained on the bench in the 4-1 win. Ralf Rangnick’s team will face Estonia on Monday evening.
SVW’s U19 players were also in action during the international break. After Fabio Chiarodia and Mio Backhaus didn’t make appearances in Germany’s clash with Italy at Platz 11, they both continued the qualifiers for the U19 European Championship in summer. Chiarodia played 70 minutes in Italy’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia, and Mio Backhaus was again on the bench for Germany’s 1-1 draw against Belgium. Italy will be looking to win the group and qualify on Tuesday (28/3), while Germany are also in action on Tuesday against Slovenia, but can no longer reach the European Championship.
