This evening sees Germany take on Denmark in a friendly in Brondby. Joachim Löw and defender Shkodran Mustafi discussed a range of topics about the game with 1992 European Championship winners and the upcoming Confederations Cup.
Joachim Löw on...
Upcoming internationals: Tomorrow will be like starting from scratch. The boys have been off fort wo weeks and only had one training session. We want to use the two games, including the qualifier on Saturday against San Marino to prepare for the Confed Cup.
Denmark: They are a strong team who play teams like Ajax or even a lot of Bundesliga teams we know. We know they will be focused on the game and for us it will be a bit of a shock because of the new team and only one training session. Whatever happens we will learn a lot from Tuesday’s game.
Line-up: We’ll see who has been playing and who is still in a bit of a rhythm. I’ll make my final decision in the final hours before kick-off.
Development of the young players: You can continue to develop players within a year. The Confed Cup is great for the younger guys because they can experience international football. Teams like Australia and Cameroon play a different way and you can learn from that too. Players like Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski were all in the 2005 Confed Cup and grew up within a year to be important parts of the World Cup team.
Leading role for Mustafi: Mustafi can be a leading figure because he has been at the major tournaments and been able to learn from the likes of Hummels and Jerome Boateng. He will be so helpful for the younger and more experienced players in the teams because he can take on that leading role.
Potential new leaders: We have a few players in the squad who can offer more than just tournament experience, such as Mustafi, Julian Draxler and Emre Can. I think it will play out during the tournament who becomes a leader figure on the pitch. Hopefully all the players should get a few games. You will be able to see quickly who looks to take up the responsibility.
Shkodran Mustafi on...
The friendly with Denmark: It will be a tough game for us because we have only had one day to prepare. We just need to concentrate on our own game and use it as preparation for the Confed Cup. We’ll line up completely different to ever before so its important to let the team grow.
His probable role as captain: I have not been focusing on that. We have plenty of other players in the squad who could take over that role. I would obviously love to be able to pass over my experience to help the young players.
His recent injury: I’m still young and can do a bit more than the other. I’m just glad I can kick a ball again, especially if it could be for the national team. Tournaments like this are just perfect.
His long-term chances in the Germany defence: I’m just looking at what’s going on now and not anything long-term. I want to get as many games as possible under my belt and focus myself with my performance.
Time before the trip to Denmark: I took a few days and was with my family. It was good to rest and recuperate before the tournament.
New players in the squad: There’s no new faces for me here. I’m looking forward to seeing all of them get a chance to show what they can do. It’s going to be fun.
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This evening sees Germany take on Denmark in a friendly in Brondby. Joachim Löw and defender Shkodran Mustafi discussed a range of topics about the game with 1992 European Championship winners and the upcoming Confederations Cup.
Joachim Löw on...
Upcoming internationals: Tomorrow will be like starting from scratch. The boys have been off fort wo weeks and only had one training session. We want to use the two games, including the qualifier on Saturday against San Marino to prepare for the Confed Cup.
Denmark: They are a strong team who play teams like Ajax or even a lot of Bundesliga teams we know. We know they will be focused on the game and for us it will be a bit of a shock because of the new team and only one training session. Whatever happens we will learn a lot from Tuesday’s game.
Line-up: We’ll see who has been playing and who is still in a bit of a rhythm. I’ll make my final decision in the final hours before kick-off.
Development of the young players: You can continue to develop players within a year. The Confed Cup is great for the younger guys because they can experience international football. Teams like Australia and Cameroon play a different way and you can learn from that too. Players like Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski were all in the 2005 Confed Cup and grew up within a year to be important parts of the World Cup team.
Leading role for Mustafi: Mustafi can be a leading figure because he has been at the major tournaments and been able to learn from the likes of Hummels and Jerome Boateng. He will be so helpful for the younger and more experienced players in the teams because he can take on that leading role.
Potential new leaders: We have a few players in the squad who can offer more than just tournament experience, such as Mustafi, Julian Draxler and Emre Can. I think it will play out during the tournament who becomes a leader figure on the pitch. Hopefully all the players should get a few games. You will be able to see quickly who looks to take up the responsibility.
Shkodran Mustafi on...
The friendly with Denmark: It will be a tough game for us because we have only had one day to prepare. We just need to concentrate on our own game and use it as preparation for the Confed Cup. We’ll line up completely different to ever before so its important to let the team grow.
His probable role as captain: I have not been focusing on that. We have plenty of other players in the squad who could take over that role. I would obviously love to be able to pass over my experience to help the young players.
His recent injury: I’m still young and can do a bit more than the other. I’m just glad I can kick a ball again, especially if it could be for the national team. Tournaments like this are just perfect.
His long-term chances in the Germany defence: I’m just looking at what’s going on now and not anything long-term. I want to get as many games as possible under my belt and focus myself with my performance.
Time before the trip to Denmark: I took a few days and was with my family. It was good to rest and recuperate before the tournament.
New players in the squad: There’s no new faces for me here. I’m looking forward to seeing all of them get a chance to show what they can do. It’s going to be fun.
