Adam Khan explores German midfielder Robert Andrich’s crucial role as the hosts search for glory this summer…
A midfield terrier who can combine defensive prowess with technical competence is a rare commodity in modern football. Yet, for Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany, it is precisely the profile that holds the keys to catapulting them into a competitive force at this summer’s European Championship.
Robert Andrich has gone from an uncapped prospect to an indisputable national team starter in the space of six months — and provides all the more reason for Germany to snatch a spot in your 10 Teams list ahead of EURO 2024.
Whilst standout performances against France and the Netherlands solidified Andrich’s pivotal role in Germany’s midfield in March, it’s his consistent contributions at club level that have laid the foundation for international acclaim.
Andrich has been part of the historic Bayer Leverkusen season that ended FC Bayern’s domestic dictatorship, whilst tearing up European records along the way.
Andrich was not an undisputed starter throughout the early months of the campaign, but as the season stretched on, his importance to Xabi Alonso’s outfit has only grown.
A tenacious defensive edge is at the forefront of Andrich’s competencies. In a squad otherwise overflowing with technical elegance, Andrich brings a hard-nosed attitude that offers the pristine balance needed to compete for titles at the elite level.
Having played the majority of his senior career for blue-collar outfits like Union Berlin, FC Heidenheim, and Dynamo Dresden, one can immediately recognize the industrious elements that set Andrich’s game apart at the elite level.
For Bayer Leverkusen, this has provided a security blanket for Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios. In Nagelsmann’s Germany, his introduction provides a level of freedom for Toni Kroos to conduct the game in possession.
The 34-year-old Madridista is playing some of the best football of his career in Spain. But he has never been a player to cover expansive distances or physically dominate a midfield. Unlike any other player in Nagelsmann’s talent pool, Andrich can bear the defensive load to afford Kroos the freedom to showcase his technical mastery without constraints.
To say Andrich is just a defensive backbone does, however, do a disservice to his exemplary qualities in possession. The 29-year-old may not possess the pin-point long-range passing of Kroos and Xhaka, but he nevertheless shows a reliability in possession that would appease any manager.
The German international is completing almost 90% of his passes in the Bundesliga this season, and when we take into account the short-range passes that make up the core competence of his game, this number rises to nearly 95%. Remarkably, Andrich ranks among the top midfielders in the league for short passes completed, surpassed only by the Slovenian international Kevin Kampl, and his two Leverkusen teammates, Xhaka and Palacios.
When it comes to final third creativity Andrich may have his limitations, but this is not to say that the German international fails to impact the game in attacking passages of play. Quite the contrary, with Andrich becoming one of Leverkusen’s most important goalscorers this season.
The 29-year-old has scored five goals across all competitions this season, with almost every goal carrying a sense of seismic importance for Leverkusen’s treble onslaught. Andrich has rescued points in Bundesliga stoppage time, scored an all-important equalizer in the DFB Pokal, and even doubled the advantage in the Italian capital during the first leg of the Europa League semi-final. His exceptional long-range ball striking is what stands out, but he is also capable of scoring the ‘dirty’ goals in a penalty box scramble.
In a squad with the magisterial qualities of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kroos, it would be foolish to assume that Andrich is the ‘star’ of the show. However, the 29-year-old is arguably the most important binding element in the German national team. He is the glue between defence and attack, and the potential cornerstone to keep Germany’s fluid attack ticking.
In a relatively unassuming group with Switzerland, Hungary, and Scotland, Nagelsmann may persist with a more attacking midfield. But against the top nations, Andrich’s anchoring presence should prove indispensable. His hard-nosed defending, iron mindset, and gift for scoring late goals could make him a vital part of a German side that are expected to go far on home soil and are a certain choice for many of you playing 10 Teams this summer.
In the two pulsating friendly victories against France and the Netherlands, we saw plainly how integral Andrich will be in Germany’s quest for a first European title in the 21st century. Across two matches, Andrich connected 139 of his 149 attempted passes and completed over 15 defensive duels and interceptions (whoscored.com).
As Germany sets its sights on European glory, Andrich’s presence in midfield promises to be a driving force behind their aspirations. In the dynamic landscape of international football, Andrich stands as a beacon of consistency and reliability, bridging the gap between defence and attack with his astute passing and unwavering work ethic. While he may not possess the finesse of Musiala, the trickery of Wirtz, or the vision of Kroos, Nagelsmann’s ‘Defensive Terrier’ is equally indispensable to Germany’s EURO ambitions.
10 Teams is a free-to-play game started by a small group of students for Euro 2024.
Predict the Unpredictable.
Join a league or create your own and compete with friends, family, and colleagues.
Create your 10 Teams list at https://tenteams.co.uk/home
