Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira from Real Madrid both arrive from El Clasico, whilst eight players arrive from a German classic: Mönchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer and Max Kruse, as well as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Holger Badstuber, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze and Thomas Müller from FC Bayern. Ten Germany internationals were in action on Sunday, with André Schürrle playing on Sunday afternoon. You could have made a whole team of Germany players who played on Sunday. The first players of Joachim Löw’s squad arrived in reception at Villa Kennedy in Frankfurt at 11:00 CET on Monday.
Shkodran Mustafi was the first to arrive, with returnee Ilkay Gündogan and André Schürrle also present in Frankfurt early on Monday. The Dortmund contingent arrived ten minutes before Munich’s, which included second returnee Holger Badstuber. Gladbach’s duo of Max Kruse and Christoph Kramer arrived at 11:30 CET in a good mood following their 2-0 win over Bayern. The majority of Joachim Löw’s squad was present by 12:00 CET and is the first time they have met up in 2015. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will join up with the squad on Monday evening following a rehabilitation session in Munich.
There will be a lot of firsts in 2015 for the national team on Monday. It will be the first time they eat lunch together, the first time they take part in meetings and the first coffee they have together. The first training session of the New Year will also take place today at 17:00 CET. The first appointment took place this morning as Shkodran Mustafi from FC Valencia and Ilkay Gündogan from BVB joined Germany first team caretaker Oliver Bierhoff at the press conference ahead of the friendly against Australia on Wednesday (20:30 CET) in Kaiserslautern and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia on Sunday (18:00 CET) in Tbilisi. DFB.de was present.
Oliver Bierhoff on…
…the return of Ilkay Gündogan and Holger Badstuber: We’re very happy to have both players back. It’s often the case that players come back even better after setbacks.
…both upcoming games: The aim is to qualify comfortably for the Euros. We want to finish top of the group. The game against Australia will allow us to regain our momentum. The aim is to win in Georgia, even thought it might be awkward playing against a supposedly small opposition.
…Lukas Podolski: We are there for our players in tough times too, especially for Lukas, who has given so much to the team over the last few years. Football is different in every country. For a player like Lukas, who likes room to play, it’s a big step to make the move to Italy. I believe that he’ll find his form again if we help him as a team. He needs to go with his gut instinct.
…the possibility of a back-three: Changes to the system need time for everyone to get used to them. That’s particularly hard with a national team as the players have to adjust in such a short time. There isn’t a classic striker anymore and there are some problems with the wide positions, which we’ll have to address.
Ilkay Gündogan on…
…his call-up: I was very happy to be called up again by the manager. It’s not easy when you’re out for so long but it’s something that you can take a lot from and reflect on. That’s not only to do with football but also in a social way. I also had good times with the injury as you are able to see things from a different perspective. Now I feel like I’ve been born again or I’m like a new person.
Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira from Real Madrid both arrive from El Clasico, whilst eight players arrive from a German classic: Mönchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer and Max Kruse, as well as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Holger Badstuber, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze and Thomas Müller from FC Bayern. Ten Germany internationals were in action on Sunday, with André Schürrle playing on Sunday afternoon. You could have made a whole team of Germany players who played on Sunday. The first players of Joachim Löw’s squad arrived in reception at Villa Kennedy in Frankfurt at 11:00 CET on Monday.
Shkodran Mustafi was the first to arrive, with returnee Ilkay Gündogan and André Schürrle also present in Frankfurt early on Monday. The Dortmund contingent arrived ten minutes before Munich’s, which included second returnee Holger Badstuber. Gladbach’s duo of Max Kruse and Christoph Kramer arrived at 11:30 CET in a good mood following their 2-0 win over Bayern. The majority of Joachim Löw’s squad was present by 12:00 CET and is the first time they have met up in 2015. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will join up with the squad on Monday evening following a rehabilitation session in Munich.
There will be a lot of firsts in 2015 for the national team on Monday. It will be the first time they eat lunch together, the first time they take part in meetings and the first coffee they have together. The first training session of the New Year will also take place today at 17:00 CET. The first appointment took place this morning as Shkodran Mustafi from FC Valencia and Ilkay Gündogan from BVB joined Germany first team caretaker Oliver Bierhoff at the press conference ahead of the friendly against Australia on Wednesday (20:30 CET) in Kaiserslautern and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia on Sunday (18:00 CET) in Tbilisi. DFB.de was present.
Oliver Bierhoff on…
…the return of Ilkay Gündogan and Holger Badstuber: We’re very happy to have both players back. It’s often the case that players come back even better after setbacks.
…both upcoming games: The aim is to qualify comfortably for the Euros. We want to finish top of the group. The game against Australia will allow us to regain our momentum. The aim is to win in Georgia, even thought it might be awkward playing against a supposedly small opposition.
…Lukas Podolski: We are there for our players in tough times too, especially for Lukas, who has given so much to the team over the last few years. Football is different in every country. For a player like Lukas, who likes room to play, it’s a big step to make the move to Italy. I believe that he’ll find his form again if we help him as a team. He needs to go with his gut instinct.
…the possibility of a back-three: Changes to the system need time for everyone to get used to them. That’s particularly hard with a national team as the players have to adjust in such a short time. There isn’t a classic striker anymore and there are some problems with the wide positions, which we’ll have to address.
Ilkay Gündogan on…
…his call-up: I was very happy to be called up again by the manager. It’s not easy when you’re out for so long but it’s something that you can take a lot from and reflect on. That’s not only to do with football but also in a social way. I also had good times with the injury as you are able to see things from a different perspective. Now I feel like I’ve been born again or I’m like a new person.
…the importance of both games: Both games are highly important. The friendly against Australia is important for us players but also for the training staff. The game against Georgia is hugely important for qualification. We’re in third but still have everything in our own hands.
…his drive following his time out: My drive is high and that’s always the case whether I’m playing for Germany or my club. I’m excited to be back after such a long time. The call-up has done me a lot of good, especially after my tough time with Borussia Dortmund. I’m enjoying it and hope to be able to play my part.
…his ambitions to start: It wouldn’t be right for me to make those claims. This is my first call-up after injury. I am trying to make the most of every minute. I realise that things will get better every week and the drills will get better and better. The competition is even greater in the national team than at club level but at the end of the day it’s always the manager’s decision.
…missing the World Cup: Obviously it hurt. It’s particularly hard to miss such a tournament. I watched the World Cup from a fans point of view. I watched a lot of games and obviously I was rooting for Germany. I was also very happy when we won the title but it wasn’t nice to be sat at home. I was always a part of the team and the players that missed out on celebrating the win are all hungry and want to do everything we can to make qualification go perfectly.
…his return to Kaiserslautern: I’ve gone a full circle because my last game for Germany was in Kaiserslautern. That’s what happens in football. Obviously I didn’t think that I’d be out for such a long time.
Shkodran Mustafi on…
…his return to his home town: It will be nice to see my family again. It’s always an honour to play there with Germany. I am always very happy and proud to represent my country.
…his life in Spain: I have learnt a lot in the last seven months in terms of the language but I have also got to know the people. I’m interested in the county and the people are happy to see that you’re getting to know the place more and more.
…the possibility of a back-three: Every system has advantages and disadvantages. I played both in Italy. No matter what system you play you have to believe in it fully. We have shown that we can play both. Now it’s up to the manager to decide. If you play with conviction then you’ll succeed.
…his injury during the World Cup: For me it was lucky but unlucky. I got injured at the World Cup but it gave me chance to recover. FC Valencia also gave me time to get back to where I needed to be and I returned to Spain with a lot of confidence.
