On Thursday (21:00 CEST, live on ZDF and Fan-Club-Radio), the Germany national team face Poland in their second EURO 2016 match in Saint-Denis. After their 2-0 opening day victory over Ukraine, head coach Joachim Löw’s team have put themselves in a good position.
In Lille, die Mannschaft kept a clean sheet, but the centre-back pairing of EURO debutant and goalscorer Shkodran Mustafi, and defensive leader Jerome Boateng had to overcome a couple of hairy situations. Against Poland and Bundesliga top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich, the back row and World Goalkeeper of the Year Manuel Neuer, who really stood out against Ukraine, will have to step up once again. On DFB.de Jerome Boateng, Shkodran Mustafi and Lukas Podolski, who was unused in the opener, speak about the rematch of the clash from EURO qualification.
LUKAS PODOLSKI ON...
... the match against the country of his birth: It is a special match for me, and everyone who is familiar with my story knows that. I still have a lot of friends and family there. Personally, I hope that we go through as table toppers and Poland come second.
... the quality within the Poland squad: Poland have made great steps, and they are a dangerous opponent. They have developed well and have a lot of young talent, who play in Poland, as well as abroad. There is a lot more to come from Poland in the coming years. Against us it will be difficult, but they have the quality to reach at least the round of 16.
... chances to improve on the Ukraine match: We need to look for the final ball more often and play more consistently. However, we deservedly won 2-0. We came away with all three points, and that’s all that matters.
... his seventh tournament with the DFB team: I am proud to be able to take part in my seventh tournament with the national team. It is amazing, but it is impossible for everything to go in your favour over the course of 12 years. It is the same with club football. However, I am now at full fitness and ready. I had a good season in Turkey, playing 50 matches. I am here if the manager needs me.
... his relationship with head coach Joachim Löw: we know what we have in our head coach – and he knows what he has in me.
JEROME BOATENG ON...
... the match against Poland: it is important that we take a victory from our second match. We know the Poles well and it will not be easy, but if we play to our strengths then I am positive that we will win. We obviously need to be aware of their attacking strength – and not just Robert Lewandowski.
... his FCB teammate Robert Lewandowski: Lewandowski is a top striker. With our club we play together, but we have also played against each other on many occasions. Now I am facing him once again. We are sure to come up against each other one or two times on the pitch - football is a contact sport. We both want to give the best for our respective countries. After the game everything will be all good again.
... his DFB teammate Toni Kroos: To move from a club like Bayern to a club like real Madrid, and to become a regular starter who leaves his mark on the pitch, is very commendable. He is as much an important element in Real’s team as in ours.
... his tournament favourites: For me, France, Spain and Belgium are the favourites.
... his spectacular goal-line save against Ukraine and the reaction to it: I am really pleased that we won and that I could play a part. I don’t pay a lot of attention to the reaction.
... the topic of safety: that is not something that we talk about. We feel safe – our targets are on the pitch, and that is where our concentration lies.
SHKODRAN MUSTAFI ON...
... his first international goal on his EURO debut: As of yesterday, our full concentration has been set on the game against Poland. At a tournament like this, you don’t get a lot of time to enjoy these moments.
... a possible appearance against Poland: I am concentrating on how I can be influential. That means in training too. The manager decides everything else. I am there if I am needed.
... his tournament favourites: The only teams that play here are ones that have made it through qualification. There are no easy opponents anymore, everyone can play football and defend well. Therefore, I don’t have a favourite. At the end of the tournament, the team that prepares the best for each game will be crowned champions.
... the topic of safety: We feel safe and are focussed on sporting matters. We have no influence on other things.
created by mmc/mb
On Thursday (21:00 CEST, live on ZDF and Fan-Club-Radio), the Germany national team face Poland in their second EURO 2016 match in Saint-Denis. After their 2-0 opening day victory over Ukraine, head coach Joachim Löw’s team have put themselves in a good position.
In Lille, die Mannschaft kept a clean sheet, but the centre-back pairing of EURO debutant and goalscorer Shkodran Mustafi, and defensive leader Jerome Boateng had to overcome a couple of hairy situations. Against Poland and Bundesliga top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich, the back row and World Goalkeeper of the Year Manuel Neuer, who really stood out against Ukraine, will have to step up once again. On DFB.de Jerome Boateng, Shkodran Mustafi and Lukas Podolski, who was unused in the opener, speak about the rematch of the clash from EURO qualification.
LUKAS PODOLSKI ON...
... the match against the country of his birth: It is a special match for me, and everyone who is familiar with my story knows that. I still have a lot of friends and family there. Personally, I hope that we go through as table toppers and Poland come second.
... the quality within the Poland squad: Poland have made great steps, and they are a dangerous opponent. They have developed well and have a lot of young talent, who play in Poland, as well as abroad. There is a lot more to come from Poland in the coming years. Against us it will be difficult, but they have the quality to reach at least the round of 16.
... chances to improve on the Ukraine match: We need to look for the final ball more often and play more consistently. However, we deservedly won 2-0. We came away with all three points, and that’s all that matters.
... his seventh tournament with the DFB team: I am proud to be able to take part in my seventh tournament with the national team. It is amazing, but it is impossible for everything to go in your favour over the course of 12 years. It is the same with club football. However, I am now at full fitness and ready. I had a good season in Turkey, playing 50 matches. I am here if the manager needs me.
... his relationship with head coach Joachim Löw: we know what we have in our head coach – and he knows what he has in me.
###more###
JEROME BOATENG ON...
... the match against Poland: it is important that we take a victory from our second match. We know the Poles well and it will not be easy, but if we play to our strengths then I am positive that we will win. We obviously need to be aware of their attacking strength – and not just Robert Lewandowski.
... his FCB teammate Robert Lewandowski: Lewandowski is a top striker. With our club we play together, but we have also played against each other on many occasions. Now I am facing him once again. We are sure to come up against each other one or two times on the pitch - football is a contact sport. We both want to give the best for our respective countries. After the game everything will be all good again.
... his DFB teammate Toni Kroos: To move from a club like Bayern to a club like real Madrid, and to become a regular starter who leaves his mark on the pitch, is very commendable. He is as much an important element in Real’s team as in ours.
... his tournament favourites: For me, France, Spain and Belgium are the favourites.
... his spectacular goal-line save against Ukraine and the reaction to it: I am really pleased that we won and that I could play a part. I don’t pay a lot of attention to the reaction.
... the topic of safety: that is not something that we talk about. We feel safe – our targets are on the pitch, and that is where our concentration lies.
SHKODRAN MUSTAFI ON...
... his first international goal on his EURO debut: As of yesterday, our full concentration has been set on the game against Poland. At a tournament like this, you don’t get a lot of time to enjoy these moments.
... a possible appearance against Poland: I am concentrating on how I can be influential. That means in training too. The manager decides everything else. I am there if I am needed.
... his tournament favourites: The only teams that play here are ones that have made it through qualification. There are no easy opponents anymore, everyone can play football and defend well. Therefore, I don’t have a favourite. At the end of the tournament, the team that prepares the best for each game will be crowned champions.
... the topic of safety: We feel safe and are focussed on sporting matters. We have no influence on other things.
