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With kick-off to Germany’s opening game against Portugal in Salvador da Bahia on Monday just a matter of hours away, the sense of excitement is increasingly palpable. At the final press conference ahead of the fixture, which is to be broadcast live on ARD from 18:00 CET, Germany coach Joachim Löw and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer fielded questions on a variety of topics. DFB.de rounds up their most important statements.
JOACHIM LÖW ON...
... the current state of the squad: We’re going into this tournament very well prepared, even if we did have one or two injuries in the build-up. Nevertheless, I believe we’ve managed to overcome those setbacks. The entire squad took part in our last training sessions so we can assume that they’re all 100 per cent match fit.
... the weather: I don’t think the climate here in Salvador is that different to our base in Santo André. We deliberately travelled here a few days in advance in order to get used to the conditions. The weather isn’t an issue for us anymore and we don’t want to talk about it or complain about it. We have adapted well to the conditions here.
... on Schweinsteiger’s medical examination: The first appointment for that examination should have taken place after our training camp in South Tyrol but, based on purely sporting considerations, Bastian Schweinsteiger travelled with us to Mainz. However, FIFA wanted him to undergo an examination for insurance purposes, which is why it has happened now. The problems he had with his knee are behind him, it was only for insurance purposes that FIFA required him to have the examination.
.... the quality in the side: We’re a team with a huge amount of quality and we’ve improved a great deal in our play. If we’re able to play to our best throughout the tournament then it’ll be very difficult to beat us. But to do that it’s important to maintain our form and stay injury free over the duration of the competition. On top of that you always need a little bit of luck. All of the teams with a chance of winning the title are top-quality sides.
... team spirit: I think we took an important step forward in terms of our team spirit during our preparations for the tournament. The squad has become very close-knit and a very good atmosphere has developed in the camp. Of course, there’s still competition for places but all of the players know that the only way to win the title is by pulling together.
.. Lukas Podolski and André Schürrle: Either of them could be in the starting line-up because they can both offer a lot to the team. André Schürrle has taken a big step forward in his development in England and Lukas Podolski is bursting with energy. Both of them could start the match, but they could also give the team added impetus if brought on from the bench.
... Miroslav Klose: It’s certainly something extraordinary to be among the all-time leading scorers and it is without doubt an added incentive for him. I wouldn’t begrudge him that [to be all-time top scorer at a World Cup] but as coach those kinds of things are of secondary importance. Miroslav Klose is very important to the team and he’s a role model in every way. He’s always extremely fit, he knows what it’s like to be in these tournaments and he has no fear of them. He passes on his wealth of experience to the others, which makes him absolutely essential to the team.
... the thrill of anticipation ahead of playing Portugal: Over the last few days in training I’ve definitely sensed that the players are getting increasingly excited. When we arrived in Brazil everyone had to make sense of their new surroundings first of all, but now you can feel that the pent-up tension and eagerness to play is growing. The players are focused on the game. After arriving in Salvador and with our last training session today, the World Cup has really started for us now.
MANUEL NEUER ON...
... his own fitness: I’m doing well, I’m fit and can do everything. I’ve been in full training and came through it all unscathed.
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... the difficulties during tournament preparations: They’re things that are part and parcel of the game. Nobody wants to get injured but it still happens. Even some of the senior players were affected and weren’t available for long periods. That was a shame, but everyone was involved in the last few training sessions. We’re well prepared and the most important thing is for everyone out on the pitch to be fit.
... pressure: I like big games, big tournaments and important moments. We shouldn’t view them as something negative. We have to turn the pressure of expectation into positive energy.
... tactics: I’m happy when there are a lot of defensive players on the pitch, with people who are strong in the challenge. That’s certainly an advantage for us considering the amount of good individual players Portugal have.
created by sid/eh
[bild1]
With kick-off to Germany’s opening game against Portugal in Salvador da Bahia on Monday just a matter of hours away, the sense of excitement is increasingly palpable. At the final press conference ahead of the fixture, which is to be broadcast live on ARD from 18:00 CET, Germany coach Joachim Löw and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer fielded questions on a variety of topics. DFB.de rounds up their most important statements.
JOACHIM LÖW ON...
... the current state of the squad: We’re going into this tournament very well prepared, even if we did have one or two injuries in the build-up. Nevertheless, I believe we’ve managed to overcome those setbacks. The entire squad took part in our last training sessions so we can assume that they’re all 100 per cent match fit.
... the weather: I don’t think the climate here in Salvador is that different to our base in Santo André. We deliberately travelled here a few days in advance in order to get used to the conditions. The weather isn’t an issue for us anymore and we don’t want to talk about it or complain about it. We have adapted well to the conditions here.
... on Schweinsteiger’s medical examination: The first appointment for that examination should have taken place after our training camp in South Tyrol but, based on purely sporting considerations, Bastian Schweinsteiger travelled with us to Mainz. However, FIFA wanted him to undergo an examination for insurance purposes, which is why it has happened now. The problems he had with his knee are behind him, it was only for insurance purposes that FIFA required him to have the examination.
.... the quality in the side: We’re a team with a huge amount of quality and we’ve improved a great deal in our play. If we’re able to play to our best throughout the tournament then it’ll be very difficult to beat us. But to do that it’s important to maintain our form and stay injury free over the duration of the competition. On top of that you always need a little bit of luck. All of the teams with a chance of winning the title are top-quality sides.
... team spirit: I think we took an important step forward in terms of our team spirit during our preparations for the tournament. The squad has become very close-knit and a very good atmosphere has developed in the camp. Of course, there’s still competition for places but all of the players know that the only way to win the title is by pulling together.
.. Lukas Podolski and André Schürrle: Either of them could be in the starting line-up because they can both offer a lot to the team. André Schürrle has taken a big step forward in his development in England and Lukas Podolski is bursting with energy. Both of them could start the match, but they could also give the team added impetus if brought on from the bench.
... Miroslav Klose: It’s certainly something extraordinary to be among the all-time leading scorers and it is without doubt an added incentive for him. I wouldn’t begrudge him that [to be all-time top scorer at a World Cup] but as coach those kinds of things are of secondary importance. Miroslav Klose is very important to the team and he’s a role model in every way. He’s always extremely fit, he knows what it’s like to be in these tournaments and he has no fear of them. He passes on his wealth of experience to the others, which makes him absolutely essential to the team.
... the thrill of anticipation ahead of playing Portugal: Over the last few days in training I’ve definitely sensed that the players are getting increasingly excited. When we arrived in Brazil everyone had to make sense of their new surroundings first of all, but now you can feel that the pent-up tension and eagerness to play is growing. The players are focused on the game. After arriving in Salvador and with our last training session today, the World Cup has really started for us now.
MANUEL NEUER ON...
... his own fitness: I’m doing well, I’m fit and can do everything. I’ve been in full training and came through it all unscathed.
[bild2]
... the difficulties during tournament preparations: They’re things that are part and parcel of the game. Nobody wants to get injured but it still happens. Even some of the senior players were affected and weren’t available for long periods. That was a shame, but everyone was involved in the last few training sessions. We’re well prepared and the most important thing is for everyone out on the pitch to be fit.
... pressure: I like big games, big tournaments and important moments. We shouldn’t view them as something negative. We have to turn the pressure of expectation into positive energy.
... tactics: I’m happy when there are a lot of defensive players on the pitch, with people who are strong in the challenge. That’s certainly an advantage for us considering the amount of good individual players Portugal have.
