Flick seeks German improvement against 'extraordinary' England in Nations League clash

Germany coach Hansi Flick believes his team will need to improve if they are to match England's "extraordinary players" in their Nations League clash in Munich on Tuesday.

Flick praised the standard of the Premier League in the build-up to the match, saying "the quality is very high".

"They have six or seven clubs of almost equal level," said Flick, a former Bayern Munich coach, adding that German players who move to the Premier League "take a step up".

The Germany 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 "who grew up under the influence of Thomas Tuchel".

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who scored twice on the final day of the Premier League season to seal the title for Manchester City, also praised England's strength in depth.

"They could form three national teams," he said.

ITALY PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 – Made a key save to deny Gnabry in the opening exchanges. He could do little about the goal, but recovered to make another vital clearance late on. Getty

Flick said he was disappointed with a 1-1 draw with Italy in Bologna on Saturday, on the same evening that England lost their group opener 1-0 in Hungary.

"It is obvious that we must do better," said Flick.

"They have extraordinary players and their game is very physical. [Harry] Kane is a world-class striker, he has a huge quality.

"It will be a big game for us and it will be important to implement our plan well," added Flick, still undefeated after ten games as Germany coach.

Gundogan, who has been at City since 2016, insisted the historic rivalry between England and Germany was "no longer an issue".

"The respect is there, and in the