Germany coach Hansi Flick said on Monday that his team would need to improve against Englandโs โextraordinary playersโ in a Nations League clash in Munich on Tuesday.
Flick praised the English Premier League at his pre-match news conference, saying โthe quality is very highโ.
โThey have six or seven clubs of almost equal level,โ said Flick, a former Bayern Munich coach.
Flick said German players who move to the Premier League โtake a step upโ.
Flickโs squad contains four players who played for English clubs last season, including three under German coach Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
Flick singled out Kai Havertz โwho grew up under the influence of Thomas Tuchelโ.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who scored twice on the final day of the Premier League season to seal the title for Manchester City, praised Englandโs strength in depth.
โThey could form three national teams,โ he said.
Flick said he was disappointed with a 1-1 draw with Italy in Bologna on Saturday, on the same evening that England lost their goup opener 1-0 in Hungary.
โIt is obvious that we must do betterโ against England, said Flick.
โThey have extraordinary players and their game is very physical. [Harry] Kane is a world-class striker, he has a huge quality,โ Flick said.
โIt will be a big game for us and it will be important to implement our plan well,โ said Flick, still undefeated after 10 games as Germany coach.
Gundogan, who has been at City since 2016, insisted the historic rivalry between England and Germany was โno longer an issueโ.
โThe respect is there, and in the end it is about sport,โ he said.
โWe have had several German players who succeeded in England, and it has become very friendly, even if sometimes we banter a little.โ