Germany women's football team: Can Ena Mahmutovic make a case to become Germany's next No.1 goalkeeper?
The women's friendlies against Australia and Japan present an opportunity for Ena Mahmutovic to make her case for succeeding Ann-Katrin Berger as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper.
Germany's women's national football team is preparing for their World Cup qualifier against Australia by participating in friendlies against Australia and Japan. Coach Christian Wück emphasizes that these matches will provide a more challenging experience for his team, as the style of play in these friendlies is different from that of European teams.
Wück mentioned that Germany has a solid foundation and now it's about taking the next step in their development. Sporting director Nia Künzer stated that while they know their strengths, they need to utilize them fully against top teams if they are to hold their own.
The question of who will emerge as Germany's next number one goalkeeper is a hot topic, similar to the debate surrounding Manuel Neuer's departure from international football. Ann-Katrin Berger is expected to remain with the team for the immediate future, but 22-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic is set to get her chance to shine. Mahmutovic has already kept a clean sheet in Slovenia, one of Germany's last World Cup qualifiers.
Some comparisons are drawn between Mahmutovic and Jonas Urbig, a future goalkeeper for Germany's men's team. Both were born in 2003 in North Rhine-Westphalia and are seen as up-and-coming stars for their clubs and countries. However, Mahmutovic is already the first-choice keeper at Bayern Munich, having won the starting job over Maria Luisa Grohs before the season began.
Mahmutovic expressed her delight at the opportunity to play against Australia, emphasizing the importance of testing themselves against teams from other continents.
Mahmutovic's father suggested she would have been better suited as an outfield player due to her ability to use both feet, but she chose to pursue goalkeeping instead. Her first appearance for Germany ended in a 2-1 loss to Italy in December 2024, but she has since been included in the squad for the 2025 Euros. Mahmutovic's coach at Duisburg praised her talents and noted that she can make a significant impact on matches.
Wück believes Mahmutovic will receive playing time, and she has already proven her worth in the previous match.
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