Melanie Leupolz is back in the woman’s national side after more than a year out with injury. The Bayern midfielder is now back in head coach, Steffi Jone’s, plans to play in Germany’s World Cup qualifiers against Iceland in Wiesbaden on October 20th and then against the Faroe Islands on October 24th. Leupolz’s last game for the DFB side came against Sweden in the final of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Alexandra Popp is also available for selection, having missed the European Cup in the Netherlands with a knee injury.
Steffi Jones, head coach, said: “I’m very happy to have them both back. Alex is an important leader in the team. Her passion gives the team a lot of motivation and she’s also a big goal threat. Melly’s distribution from midfield is exceptional. It’s crucial that she’s fit again. To have her and Alex back is a big boost.” Lena Goeßling is another player to return to the side, having been rested in September’s qualifiers.
Germany missing three starters
All the same, Germany will have to do without Dzsenifer Marozsán (cheekbone), Pauline Bremer (calf) and Sara Däbritz (ankle). Jones commented: “The injuries to Pauline and Dzseni are tough. The most important is for them to recover as quickly as possible. Sara, too. It’s not ideal for our development as a team, but it’s something we’ve know about for a while and we’ll have to deal with it.”
Germany started their qualification campaign with wins against Slovenia and the Czech Republic. The goal for the upcoming encounters is clear. “We want to win both games. The match against Iceland is particularly crucial. Iceland were also in the European Cup and I think they are the toughest opponents in our group.”
The German squad
Goalkeepers: Almuth Schult, Laura Benkarth, Carina Schlüter
Defenders: Johanna Elsig, Kathrin Hendrich, Leonie Maier, Babett Peter, Carolin Simon, Lena Goeßling, Anna Blässe, Verena Faißt, Joelle Wedemeyer
Midfielders: Simone Laudehr, Lina Magull, Melanie Leupolz, Sara Doorsoun, Linda Dallmann, Kristin Demann, Tabea Kemme
Strikers: Lea Schüller, Alexandra Popp, Svenja Huth, Hasret Kayikci
