There is no World Cup without a champion. After defeating Northern Ireland 3-1 away, Die Mannschaft have qualified promptly for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The national head coach, Joachim Löw, caught up with DFB.de about his team’s immaculate qualifying record of nine wins from nine, potential selection headaches and what the future has to hold.
DFB.de: Joachim Löw, how pleased are you that the 3-1 win in Northern Ireland has sealed the World Cup ticket?
Joachim Löw: We played like I expected, getting that early goal against a strong defensive side. It was important to do that. We had the game under control and kept the Northern Irish attacking play in check. We have to keep on improving though. We’re going to come up against some very good teams – with all due respect to Northern Ireland. Some games with a completely different dynamic and intensity.
DFB.de: Nine wins from nine – a perfect record.
Löw: It’s very positive. Our goal was to dominate the group from the start and not drop any points. We were successful in that and have a very good goal difference. We can be satisfied with the qualifying period. Well done to the team.
DFB.de: Will there be a small celebration? Will the players be allowed to hit the pubs?
Löw: That wouldn’t be professional. We’re playing in Kaiserslautern on Sunday in front of 30,000 fans and we want to win that, too. Ten wins with our current goal difference would be out most successful qualifying stage ever, so we will definitely have a little celebration within the team, but nothing too big.
DFB.de: What remains to be done before the World Cup?
Löw: Our last qualifier of course and then two tough tests against England and France in November. After that, Spain and Brazil. We’ll use all of these matches to develop our players and give the whole team opportunities to show what they can do. There are lots of things to work on in the next months. This is a decisive period for us.
DFB.de: What are you planning for the Azerbaijan game?
Löw: There will be changes to give a chance to the players who haven’t competed yet, but I’ll also have to see who’s fit for the match.
DFB.de: Recently, there has been talk about the full-back and striker positions being problematic for the team. Do you see these as now solved?
Löw: We don’t have many full-backs who play regularly on an international level. Joshua Kimmich is the only one in fact, so we need to help the others mature. We’ve got a few options up front but when you think of Argentina with Higuain, Agüero, Messi, di Maria, Dybala… there’s clearly work to be done.
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There is no World Cup without a champion. After defeating Northern Ireland 3-1 away, Die Mannschaft have qualified promptly for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The national head coach, Joachim Löw, caught up with DFB.de about his team’s immaculate qualifying record of nine wins from nine, potential selection headaches and what the future has to hold.
DFB.de: Joachim Löw, how pleased are you that the 3-1 win in Northern Ireland has sealed the World Cup ticket?
Joachim Löw: We played like I expected, getting that early goal against a strong defensive side. It was important to do that. We had the game under control and kept the Northern Irish attacking play in check. We have to keep on improving though. We’re going to come up against some very good teams – with all due respect to Northern Ireland. Some games with a completely different dynamic and intensity.
DFB.de: Nine wins from nine – a perfect record.
Löw: It’s very positive. Our goal was to dominate the group from the start and not drop any points. We were successful in that and have a very good goal difference. We can be satisfied with the qualifying period. Well done to the team.
DFB.de: Will there be a small celebration? Will the players be allowed to hit the pubs?
Löw: That wouldn’t be professional. We’re playing in Kaiserslautern on Sunday in front of 30,000 fans and we want to win that, too. Ten wins with our current goal difference would be out most successful qualifying stage ever, so we will definitely have a little celebration within the team, but nothing too big.
DFB.de: What remains to be done before the World Cup?
Löw: Our last qualifier of course and then two tough tests against England and France in November. After that, Spain and Brazil. We’ll use all of these matches to develop our players and give the whole team opportunities to show what they can do. There are lots of things to work on in the next months. This is a decisive period for us.
DFB.de: What are you planning for the Azerbaijan game?
Löw: There will be changes to give a chance to the players who haven’t competed yet, but I’ll also have to see who’s fit for the match.
DFB.de: Recently, there has been talk about the full-back and striker positions being problematic for the team. Do you see these as now solved?
Löw: We don’t have many full-backs who play regularly on an international level. Joshua Kimmich is the only one in fact, so we need to help the others mature. We’ve got a few options up front but when you think of Argentina with Higuain, Agüero, Messi, di Maria, Dybala… there’s clearly work to be done.
