Germany manager Silvia Neid demands a more concentrated performance in the upcoming European Championship qualifiers than in the rather unconvincing recent 1- 0 win over Croatia. “We know that if we only give 99% in a game, we might not win,” said the 51-year-old ahead of the match against Russia in Wiesbaden (16:00 CEST), as well as against Turkey on Sunday in Sandhausen (14:15 CEST).
The supposedly "most difficult group opponents" from Russia – number 22 in the world – are expected to be similarly robust and aggressive like Croatia. As a result, Neid expects “a lot of running, game intelligence and determination to score goals” from her team. The last matches against Russia came during the past World Cup qualification when Neid’s side won convincingly 9-0 and 4-1.
Leupolz: "We need to learn and stay patient"
Midfielder Melanie Leupolz from German champions Bayern München is noticing a trend in women’s football, "that the supposedly stronger teams are struggling more against the weaker teams. But you need to learn from that and stay patient.” Despite that, “the main goal is obviously to secure the next victory on the journey to European Championship qualification.”
Meanwhile, Neid hinted that, as a result of injuries, the promoted Lina Magull (SC Freiburg), Mandy Islacker (1. FFC Frankfurt) or Turid Knaak (Bayer Leverkusen) can potentially have hopes of making their debuts for the senior side. “The chances are looking good. The new girls have all done very well in training.”
Following opening wins against Hungary (12-0) and Croatia, the reigning champions are top of Group 5. Only the group winners qualify to the 2017 finals in the Netherlands.
Germany manager Silvia Neid demands a more concentrated performance in the upcoming European Championship qualifiers than in the rather unconvincing recent 1- 0 win over Croatia. “We know that if we only give 99% in a game, we might not win,” said the 51-year-old ahead of the match against Russia in Wiesbaden (16:00 CEST), as well as against Turkey on Sunday in Sandhausen (14:15 CEST).
The supposedly "most difficult group opponents" from Russia – number 22 in the world – are expected to be similarly robust and aggressive like Croatia. As a result, Neid expects “a lot of running, game intelligence and determination to score goals” from her team. The last matches against Russia came during the past World Cup qualification when Neid’s side won convincingly 9-0 and 4-1.
Leupolz: "We need to learn and stay patient"
Midfielder Melanie Leupolz from German champions Bayern München is noticing a trend in women’s football, "that the supposedly stronger teams are struggling more against the weaker teams. But you need to learn from that and stay patient.” Despite that, “the main goal is obviously to secure the next victory on the journey to European Championship qualification.”
Meanwhile, Neid hinted that, as a result of injuries, the promoted Lina Magull (SC Freiburg), Mandy Islacker (1. FFC Frankfurt) or Turid Knaak (Bayer Leverkusen) can potentially have hopes of making their debuts for the senior side. “The chances are looking good. The new girls have all done very well in training.”
Following opening wins against Hungary (12-0) and Croatia, the reigning champions are top of Group 5. Only the group winners qualify to the 2017 finals in the Netherlands.
