News (engl.)

Germany are preparing for their final international break of 2026, with two UEFA Nations League fixtures remaining. Jürgen Klopp’s side travel to Belgrade to face Serbia on Friday (20:45 CET) before hosting the Netherlands in Berlin on Monday (20:45 CET). Striker Niclas Füllkrug spoke about the upcoming trip to Serbia and his return to the national team.

Niclas Füllkrug on…

…his return to the national team: “I’m delighted to be back. It’s recognition of the work you put in and how you perform for your club. It’s great to be part of the national team again and to have the chance to train under Jürgen Klopp. I’ve caught up with a lot of familiar faces and met plenty of new ones too. The squad looks very different now and you can really feel how much has changed. I’m happy that I can just be myself and that people respond positively to that.”

…his international future: “My age is a fact, but it’s not something I think about too much. I’ve spoken to the head coach about it and I didn’t take his comments personally in the slightest. We’re at a stage where the focus is on developing young players. We’ve got several players who are really making an impression at the moment, so there are plenty of options to choose from.”

…his time abroad: “I was never miserable during my time abroad. I’m very grateful for those experiences because there’s more to life than just football. Of course, football is hugely important, but when you’re living abroad, you can still separate your personal and professional lives. I’ve taken away a lot of positive memories from those two years. The biggest issue was that I struggled to stay fit. I haven’t forgotten how to play football in that time. I’m grateful that my teammates at Werder Bremen actively look to involve me in our attacking play. That wasn’t really the case at my previous two clubs.”

…Werder Bremen: “It’s my footballing home. I immediately feel comfortable there. It’s a club with a lot of history and tradition. I first joined when I was 14, and when I look at the staff now, 70, 80 or even 90% of them are still the same people. That familiarity makes you feel right at home. But it’s also important to look at things from a footballing perspective. I’m fit and able to train consistently at the moment. We’re also playing really well as a team, and I’m benefiting from that.”

…his role on the pitch: “My role is quite different now. I’ve been getting a lot of touches in the Bundesliga recently and I’m needed in different areas of the pitch. With the national team, I might be more of an out-and-out finisher. But when you're counter-pressing, you also need someone up front to play the ball to so you can attack quickly once you've won it back. I have to be the first line of defence, but it’s also important to have someone in the box at the other end.”

…the current Germany squad: “I watched an excellent performance against Serbia, and I don’t think people fully appreciated just how much intensity and commitment the players showed on the pitch. We want to bring even more of that intensity to our game. You’re representing the entire country, and the fans want to see players who give everything and play with heart and passion. We’ve got plenty of players who do exactly that.”