Germany travel to Tbilisi without Badstuber and Bellarabi

After the 2-2 friendly draw with Australia in Kaiserslautern, Germany are now looking ahead to their first competitive game of 2015. On Sunday, three important points are up for grabs as they take on Georgia in a Euro 2016 qualifier at the Boris-Paitschadse stadium in Tbilisi.

Assistant manager Thomas Schneider announced at today’s press conference that both Holger Badstuber (Bayern München) and Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen) have not travelled. Shkodran Mustafi (FC Valencia), who took a knock in the game against Australia, has made the trip to Georgia and will take part in an individual training session.

Badstuber has muscle problems in his hip and according to Schneider the reason that he hasn’t made the trip is just “a precaution.” Due to the defender’s long history of injuries, the DFB are “acting responsibly on the situation.” Bellarabi will remain at home due to illness.

Ahead of the trip to Tbilisi, assistant manager Thomas Schneider and left back Jonas Hector spoke at the press conference about their thoughts of their upcoming opponents and the analysis from the friendly against Australia. DFB.de were present.

Thomas Schneider on…

…Holger Badstuber missing out in Tbilisi: It’s just a precaution with Holger. We don’t want to take any risks, especially looking ahead to the future and our plans.

…the Georgia game: The team knows what they have to do. We didn’t pick up enough points in the autumn and therefore we’re in a bit of a tight spot. But the 2-2 draw against Australia is behind us and we’re full of confidence. We’ll see a well prepared team and a team that will bring the three points back with us.

…Georgia’s tactics: Georgia won’t sit back and we’re convinced that they’ll be attacking. It’ll be similar to the games against Ireland and Gibraltar as time goes on. But we’re well prepared and we can’t afford to slip up.

…the problems against Australia: We had problems on Wednesday with our build up play and the flow wasn’t fully there. But we came up against a good Australian side, who came into the game on the back of some successful results. We can take one or two things from the game.

…Bastian Schweinsteiger: Bastian was rested but we’re sure that he’ll play on Sunday.

…the back three: The back three is a process that we haven’t worked on for very long. We have flexibility in our system and we’ll continue to work on the process.

Jonas Hector on…

…his first start against Australia: I was obviously very excited. Games at international level are different to those for your club. I knew that a lot of my family and friends would be there because I grew up not far from Kaiserslautern. In the game I tried to carry out what was required of me.

…integration into the team: The team welcomed me into the team just like when I was called up for the first time. Just before the game everyone came up to me, gave me a high-five and encouraged me.

…the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia: We definitely need to win! We’ll prepare well and try to be dominant.

…his attacking role against Australia: I play quite a defensive role for my club but I was comfortable going forward as I know what it’s like from when I was younger.

…the possibility of starting against Georgia: I’m not assuming anything. We still have a few training sessions to go. Obviously I would be happy if I was given the chance to start.

…the back three: Both a back three and a back four have advantages and disadvantages. We’ve worked on it a lot at Köln but here that’s not the case. We’ve only trained together on it twice and will continue to work on it. I can’t say which system is better – that’s the decision of the manager.

…being the only left back: I have to prove myself in every game for both club and country. I can’t assume that I will be called up every time because the team won the World Cup with four centre backs.