Just a few more hours and the time will be here, Finally! Germany against Slovakia, the world champions in the round of 16 of the European Championship (18:00 CEST, live on ZDF, Fan-Club-Radio and the DFB.de-Liveticker). The current situation, the latest news, the team’s mood – assistant manager Marcus Sorg gives a match-day interview at DFB.de.
DFB.de: Mr. Sorg, the EURO 2016 round of 16 match against Slovakia is nearly here. How is the mood within the squad?
Marcus Sorg: Concentrated, focussed, and full of expectation. A knockout match is coming up – that is clear to see. You can really feel the team’s desire, the players want to show their quality and make all their work over the last few weeks pay off. We are ready.
DFB.de: How optimistic are you for the match?
Sorg: I have no doubt. My faith in the team is huge - every single player. We have the quality, we have a plan, and we have every possible chance. Of course, we have great respect for Slovakia, they are a team who have got through to the round of 16 without luck or coincidence. But we know what we are capable of. We are the better team, and we will show that this evening.
DFB.de: In the friendly in Augsburg before the tournament, Slovakia won 3-1.
Sorg: That match has nothing to do with the one this evening. The match was an exception, mainly because of the weather. We couldn’t get into a rhythm, but today will be different. Also, the match was a lot better than the score suggests. After going 1-0 up, we did have other good chances, and as I say: from then on the game was very stop start. It is definitely not a model for how things will go this evening.
DFB.de: What are the main features of Slovakia’s game?
Sorg: They are a strong team, and have good individual footballers. Their style of play is a bit like Poland’s. They play with attacking full backs, and in Robert Mak and Vladimir Weiss they have quality on the wings.
DFB.de: They also have quality in the centre.
Sorg: Yes. Marek Hamsik and Juraj Kucka operate well there. Both are really good footballers. They combine well, let the ball do the work, and are technically strong. Hamsik likes to drop deep and take over the build-up play. He is also a real danger in front of goal, and it is clear that he is Slovakia’s key player.
DFB.de: How are you expecting the team to set up?
Sorg: That is difficult to guess, but it won’t be a decisive factor. Until now, they have used a 4-1-4-1 system, but that can change depending on the situation. What is more significant, is that they set up well, and have players who can fill the gaps. They always manage to get great numbers around the ball, and they also use long balls very well – flicking the ball on and making good runs. That is not easy to defend, and it has already worked out for them once in this tournament so far.
DFB.de: Slovakia must also have some weaknesses. What are your thoughts on that?
Sorg: I don’t like to talk about an opposition’s weaknesses. But of course we know which parts of their game we need to put pressure on. We know what we have to do. And we trust our own strengths more than our opponent’s weaknesses. As I have already said: We are the better team. We have continued to improve throughout the tournament, we are confident in our ability, and I am sure that we will win.
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Just a few more hours and the time will be here, Finally! Germany against Slovakia, the world champions in the round of 16 of the European Championship (18:00 CEST, live on ZDF, Fan-Club-Radio and the DFB.de-Liveticker). The current situation, the latest news, the team’s mood – assistant manager Marcus Sorg gives a match-day interview at DFB.de.
DFB.de: Mr. Sorg, the EURO 2016 round of 16 match against Slovakia is nearly here. How is the mood within the squad?
Marcus Sorg: Concentrated, focussed, and full of expectation. A knockout match is coming up – that is clear to see. You can really feel the team’s desire, the players want to show their quality and make all their work over the last few weeks pay off. We are ready.
DFB.de: How optimistic are you for the match?
Sorg: I have no doubt. My faith in the team is huge - every single player. We have the quality, we have a plan, and we have every possible chance. Of course, we have great respect for Slovakia, they are a team who have got through to the round of 16 without luck or coincidence. But we know what we are capable of. We are the better team, and we will show that this evening.
DFB.de: In the friendly in Augsburg before the tournament, Slovakia won 3-1.
Sorg: That match has nothing to do with the one this evening. The match was an exception, mainly because of the weather. We couldn’t get into a rhythm, but today will be different. Also, the match was a lot better than the score suggests. After going 1-0 up, we did have other good chances, and as I say: from then on the game was very stop start. It is definitely not a model for how things will go this evening.
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DFB.de: What are the main features of Slovakia’s game?
Sorg: They are a strong team, and have good individual footballers. Their style of play is a bit like Poland’s. They play with attacking full backs, and in Robert Mak and Vladimir Weiss they have quality on the wings.
DFB.de: They also have quality in the centre.
Sorg: Yes. Marek Hamsik and Juraj Kucka operate well there. Both are really good footballers. They combine well, let the ball do the work, and are technically strong. Hamsik likes to drop deep and take over the build-up play. He is also a real danger in front of goal, and it is clear that he is Slovakia’s key player.
DFB.de: How are you expecting the team to set up?
Sorg: That is difficult to guess, but it won’t be a decisive factor. Until now, they have used a 4-1-4-1 system, but that can change depending on the situation. What is more significant, is that they set up well, and have players who can fill the gaps. They always manage to get great numbers around the ball, and they also use long balls very well – flicking the ball on and making good runs. That is not easy to defend, and it has already worked out for them once in this tournament so far.
DFB.de: Slovakia must also have some weaknesses. What are your thoughts on that?
Sorg: I don’t like to talk about an opposition’s weaknesses. But of course we know which parts of their game we need to put pressure on. We know what we have to do. And we trust our own strengths more than our opponent’s weaknesses. As I have already said: We are the better team. We have continued to improve throughout the tournament, we are confident in our ability, and I am sure that we will win.
