DFB.de: A victory in Milan would close out an excellent second half to the year, so far you’ve won five in a row, scored 18 goals and not conceded any.
Sorg: The team is good in all areas. They want and enjoy playing, have a good energy and get along well – we saw that last week in Rome. If a player is to perform well, he also has to feel good. Talent, experience, skill and what’s more, our great team spirit – it’s a pleasure to a part of at the moment.
DFB.de: What do you expect from the Italians today?
Sorg: Italy will certainly use this match as a chance to test one or two things. Tactically, they’re extremely well drilled and they’re unbelievably good in the tackle. Again, they’ll be a tough nut to crack.
DFB.de: Is counterattacking a further strength of this Italy team?
Sorg: Giampiero Ventura is now the coach so it’ll be interesting to see what new things they’ve added to their game as compared to the Euros when their game plan was clear.
DFB.de: The German, as well as the Italian players, won’t be under so much pressure this time like they were in the summer. Will we see a better game tonight?
Sorg: I wouldn’t talk about better or worse. The quarterfinal of a European Championship was of course an unbelievably intense game in which tactics played a huge role. In a knock-out game at a big tournament, you shouldn’t expect to be fresh or play carefree football. Games against Italy are always interesting and a big challenge that we’re looking forward to.
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Neither Germany nor Italy have ever held a three-game winning streak against the other, but Joachim Löw’s men have the chance to change that tonight at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan (20:45 CET). In this interview with DFB.de, Germany assistant coach Marcus Sorg gives his thoughts on tonight’s friendly.
DFB.de: Could it be that Germany will face a team out for revenge tonight?
Marcus Sorg: I don’t believe our victory in the Euros will play much of a role tonight; Germany against Italy is always a classic. The motivation to beat the other team is simply always extremely high, whether it’s in a tournament or a normal game.
DFB.de: The encounter in the Euros was a tense one, after Mesut Özil hit the post in the penalty shootout, the Italians were leading 2-1 and had the chance to go 3-1 up. How were you feeling at this point?
Sorg: It was an extraordinary shootout. It’s not often that each team misses three of their first five penalties – after three misses you’re usually out. However, for me the hardest moment was when Basti could have decided it. I was totally sure and expectant before he shot, and when the ball didn’t go in, I did doubt if we’d get another chance like that. I doff my hat to the next three players who had to follow suit - Mats, Joshua and Jérôme. It was incredible how confidently they converted their penalties. Then, when Jonas scored, we were all standing in a line and just ran off, it was an unbelievable feeling.
DFB.de: What’s more important tonight, the result or testing young players against a big opponent?
Sorg: It’s important one team doesn’t cancel the other out. We’re facing Italy in our last game before the winter break and we want to take advantage of the chance to deploy one or two young players and obviously get the best possible result.
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DFB.de: A victory in Milan would close out an excellent second half to the year, so far you’ve won five in a row, scored 18 goals and not conceded any.
Sorg: The team is good in all areas. They want and enjoy playing, have a good energy and get along well – we saw that last week in Rome. If a player is to perform well, he also has to feel good. Talent, experience, skill and what’s more, our great team spirit – it’s a pleasure to a part of at the moment.
DFB.de: What do you expect from the Italians today?
Sorg: Italy will certainly use this match as a chance to test one or two things. Tactically, they’re extremely well drilled and they’re unbelievably good in the tackle. Again, they’ll be a tough nut to crack.
DFB.de: Is counterattacking a further strength of this Italy team?
Sorg: Giampiero Ventura is now the coach so it’ll be interesting to see what new things they’ve added to their game as compared to the Euros when their game plan was clear.
DFB.de: The German, as well as the Italian players, won’t be under so much pressure this time like they were in the summer. Will we see a better game tonight?
Sorg: I wouldn’t talk about better or worse. The quarterfinal of a European Championship was of course an unbelievably intense game in which tactics played a huge role. In a knock-out game at a big tournament, you shouldn’t expect to be fresh or play carefree football. Games against Italy are always interesting and a big challenge that we’re looking forward to.
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