Mexico, Sweden, South Korea – the Germany national team have drawn three completely different opponents for the group stages of the 2018 World Cup. Head coach Joachim Löw talks about an “exciting group” and shares his thoughts on the three opponents on DFB.de.
Joachim Löw on...
... MEXICO: Mexico play at an incredibly high level. We know them from the Confed Cup, we beat them (4-1 in the semi-final). Technically and tactically, they are a very good team, a tough opponent to open against. We definitely won’t be taking things lightly against them. They have always done very well in recent years. We know that for a tournament, you have to be ready when things get started. After that you then need to increase.
... SWEDEN: Sweden knocked Italy out in the play-offs so was absolutely cannot underestimate them. They’re a tough team, they have very good team spirit, lots of confidence and they defend well. They know that anything is possible for them. They are dangerous. I remember the 4-4 against them in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, having lead 4-0. This game showed me that you can never give up. This time we want to lead 5-0 to be sure! (laughs)
… SOUTH KOREA: Our biggest enemy will be if we go into the games against Sweden or South Korea thinking we only need to put in 80 or 90 percent. But these teams will fight with all they have to reach the last 16. I know lots of Korean players, Heung-Min Son from Tottenham Hotspur of course, there are also lots in the Bundesliga but it’s hard to pronounce all their names. They have a great mentality and are very quick. They are getting better and better. In 1981 I played with Bum-kun Cha at Frankfurt, that was the best.
Mexico, Sweden, South Korea – the Germany national team have drawn three completely different opponents for the group stages of the 2018 World Cup. Head coach Joachim Löw talks about an “exciting group” and shares his thoughts on the three opponents on DFB.de.
Joachim Löw on...
... MEXICO: Mexico play at an incredibly high level. We know them from the Confed Cup, we beat them (4-1 in the semi-final). Technically and tactically, they are a very good team, a tough opponent to open against. We definitely won’t be taking things lightly against them. They have always done very well in recent years. We know that for a tournament, you have to be ready when things get started. After that you then need to increase.
... SWEDEN: Sweden knocked Italy out in the play-offs so was absolutely cannot underestimate them. They’re a tough team, they have very good team spirit, lots of confidence and they defend well. They know that anything is possible for them. They are dangerous. I remember the 4-4 against them in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, having lead 4-0. This game showed me that you can never give up. This time we want to lead 5-0 to be sure! (laughs)
… SOUTH KOREA: Our biggest enemy will be if we go into the games against Sweden or South Korea thinking we only need to put in 80 or 90 percent. But these teams will fight with all they have to reach the last 16. I know lots of Korean players, Heung-Min Son from Tottenham Hotspur of course, there are also lots in the Bundesliga but it’s hard to pronounce all their names. They have a great mentality and are very quick. They are getting better and better. In 1981 I played with Bum-kun Cha at Frankfurt, that was the best.
