Germany’s start to 2015 wasn’t completely successful after Joachim Löw’s World Champions drew 2-2 with Asian champions Australia. The first competitive game of the year will take place on Sunday when Germany travel to Tbilisi to take on Georgia in a EURO 2016 qualifier – a game in which they must pick up three points.
After the draw against Australia, Germany’s manager spoke about his side’s performance during the draw at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion, the return of Ilkay Gündogan and Holger Badstuber, the game against Georgia and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Question: Mr Löw, you’ve started the year with a 2-2 draw against Australia. What did you think of your team’s performance?
Joachim Löw: It was an entertaining game in which both sides had chances. It was also a frantic game and we didn’t succeed in doing a lot of things. We had a few good chances going forward but we didn’t have the right grasp on the game defensively. We never really had the game under control.
Question: Are you surprised or disappointed?
Löw: I wasn’t expecting much different. Some players haven’t played with us very much and therefore you have to lower your sight’s a bit. It was a good test for us overall and we’ve found out a few things. But we have to increase the intensity going into the Georgia game and we’ll go into the game even more concentrated.
Question: You ended your experiment of a back three at half time. Why was that?
Löw: I made the change at half time because Holger Badstuber had taken a knock. It takes time when you want to make changes. We’ll continue to try it out in the future but it’s important to be able to work on it at training more often. It doesn’t just happen at the flick of a switch. You need games and time at training to work on it. Mistakes will always happen and that’s why we play friendlies. But I’m always ready to take risks in those games.
Germany’s start to 2015 wasn’t completely successful after Joachim Löw’s World Champions drew 2-2 with Asian champions Australia. The first competitive game of the year will take place on Sunday when Germany travel to Tbilisi to take on Georgia in a EURO 2016 qualifier – a game in which they must pick up three points.
After the draw against Australia, Germany’s manager spoke about his side’s performance during the draw at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion, the return of Ilkay Gündogan and Holger Badstuber, the game against Georgia and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Question: Mr Löw, you’ve started the year with a 2-2 draw against Australia. What did you think of your team’s performance?
Joachim Löw: It was an entertaining game in which both sides had chances. It was also a frantic game and we didn’t succeed in doing a lot of things. We had a few good chances going forward but we didn’t have the right grasp on the game defensively. We never really had the game under control.
Question: Are you surprised or disappointed?
Löw: I wasn’t expecting much different. Some players haven’t played with us very much and therefore you have to lower your sight’s a bit. It was a good test for us overall and we’ve found out a few things. But we have to increase the intensity going into the Georgia game and we’ll go into the game even more concentrated.
Question: You ended your experiment of a back three at half time. Why was that?
Löw: I made the change at half time because Holger Badstuber had taken a knock. It takes time when you want to make changes. We’ll continue to try it out in the future but it’s important to be able to work on it at training more often. It doesn’t just happen at the flick of a switch. You need games and time at training to work on it. Mistakes will always happen and that’s why we play friendlies. But I’m always ready to take risks in those games.
Question: Ilkay Gündogan played for the first time in a year and a half and Badstuber for the first time in two and a half years. How happy were you with both players?
Löw: I’m happy that both players are back after months on the sidelines. It was clear that I couldn’t expect everything from both players. They need weeks, maybe months in order to get back to their best. There are always ups and downs after such a long time out. They’re not 100% yet but everything went well for where they’re currently at.
Question: Lukas Podolski, who you called up after he had a tough time, salvaged a point. Were you proven right?
Löw: I have the feeling that some people had written Lukas off. But I know that he’s always good for a goal and he can vitalize the team. His goal scoring record speaks for itself. Lukas hasn’t played much recently and it would obviously be good if that changed. But he still has the right zip about him and is in a good state physically. He’s always dangerous when called upon.
Question: You decided to play Ron-Robert Zieler in goal even though he played the last two games. What did you think of his performance?
Löw: Ron played very, very well in Spain so therefore he was pleased with the decision. I don’t think he could have done anything about the goals.
Question: Will Manuel Neuer be able to play on Sunday?
Löw: Yes, Manuel will be fit.
Question: Bastian Schweinsteiger was set to play for the first time as captain but he started on the bench. Were there problems with his fitness?
Löw: No. I looked at who needed the minutes. But we’re sure that he’ll play on Sunday.
