Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann was thrilled after knocking out Sweden with two Lukas Podolski goals to reach the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
"I am so proud of them", Klinsmann beamed after the win in Munich set up a meeting with Argentina. We played at a great tempo and were very decisive. We got the tactics right, especially in the midfield. I was delighted with the early lead", he added after Podolski struck twice in the opening twelve minutes to knock the stuffing out of the Swedes.
"We are not surprised. The team really took on board everything that we asked them to do. Everything is working fantastically with the team from a medical and physical point of view. After six weeks' work, we have 23 players fit. We are really
happy as a group", he added, saying team spirit was a major factor behind the strong showings which suggest Germany have a realistic chance of a fourth title after 1954, 1974 and 1990 - when he himself was in the team.
Klinsmann said the first-half sending-off of Sweden's hapless
Teddy Lucic had actually made life more difficult for the Germans
as the visitors dug in doggedly to ensure they were not humiliated. He admitted he shifted uneasily in his seat until Henrik Larsson blasted a second-half penalty over the bar.
Klinsmann saluted an ever more dangerous German forward line of
Podolski and Miroslav Klose, who turned provider on Saturday but
has four goals to date to his sidekick's three. "They need games together to cement their partnership. They are coming together and looking to get on each other's wavelength", Klinsmann said.
"We have tried to keep calm throughout, get the tactics right.
Now the players believe we can do something. However, a great obstacle is now approaching," said Klinsmann in allusion to Argentina.
"We have no fear - but instead, respect. We are absolutely
capable of getting to the semi-finals. We have a blend of youngsters who are finding their feet and more experienced players such as Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider, who help and motivate them. There's a good feeling in the squad that something good is brewing", Klinsmann concluded.
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Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann was thrilled after knocking out Sweden with two Lukas Podolski goals to reach the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
"I am so proud of them", Klinsmann beamed after the win in Munich set up a meeting with Argentina. We played at a great tempo and were very decisive. We got the tactics right, especially in the midfield. I was delighted with the early lead", he added after Podolski struck twice in the opening twelve minutes to knock the stuffing out of the Swedes.
"We are not surprised. The team really took on board everything that we asked them to do. Everything is working fantastically with the team from a medical and physical point of view. After six weeks' work, we have 23 players fit. We are really
happy as a group", he added, saying team spirit was a major factor behind the strong showings which suggest Germany have a realistic chance of a fourth title after 1954, 1974 and 1990 - when he himself was in the team.
Klinsmann said the first-half sending-off of Sweden's hapless
Teddy Lucic had actually made life more difficult for the Germans
as the visitors dug in doggedly to ensure they were not humiliated. He admitted he shifted uneasily in his seat until Henrik Larsson blasted a second-half penalty over the bar.
Klinsmann saluted an ever more dangerous German forward line of
Podolski and Miroslav Klose, who turned provider on Saturday but
has four goals to date to his sidekick's three. "They need games together to cement their partnership. They are coming together and looking to get on each other's wavelength", Klinsmann said.
"We have tried to keep calm throughout, get the tactics right.
Now the players believe we can do something. However, a great obstacle is now approaching," said Klinsmann in allusion to Argentina.
"We have no fear - but instead, respect. We are absolutely
capable of getting to the semi-finals. We have a blend of youngsters who are finding their feet and more experienced players such as Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider, who help and motivate them. There's a good feeling in the squad that something good is brewing", Klinsmann concluded.
