OLIVER BIERHOFF ON...
... the squad situation ahead of the USA match: All our players are fit and have completed full training. The coach can call on any of them.
... the encounter with the USA: It’s a crucial game for the USA, and Jürgen Klinsmann will certainly fire up his team.
... the Ghana match: It certainly didn’t all go to plan, but although we had problems we created an incredible number of chances. Our build-up play was strong even though it was a little tougher. When analysing the match we were keen to put things into perspective, as there were plenty of positive elements. If we can avoid unnecessary mistakes, we can win that kind of match.
... his verdict on the first two matches: This is now my tenth major tournament, and every match is like a cup final. But there has always been one match that slips away from us somehow. That doesn’t unsettle us because we know we’ve got what it takes. What’s important is that the team played as a unit and reacted well against Ghana. Whoever we meet in the last 16, it’ll be a tough game.
.... the quality of the USA: They’re very well disciplined and organised on the pitch, and they use their immense determination and athleticism to get themselves back into matches. They’ll try to restrict our combination play by using two or three players in their build-up play when attacking.
... meeting up with Jürgen Klinsmann: I always prefer to look ahead rather than back, so in that respect it won’t be a journey into the past. I’ll always associate him with the great times we had together as players and particularly the intense and successful experience we had at the 2006 World Cup. We haven’t had any contact in the build-up to this tournament because each of us knows we have to focus here. We’ll greet each other warmly but then we’ll go back to concentrating on what each of us has to do.
... Jürgen Klinsmann’s reputation as a great motivator: It’s not fair to simply refer to him as a motivator. He gave German football a spark that has ultimately spread to the Bundesliga too. He has unbelievable energy and a real instinct for situations. He doesn’t shy away from confrontation and has the courage to insist upon or implement things he is convinced about. He has become much more of a coach than a motivator over the years.
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At their final press conference at Campo Bahia before travelling to Recife for Thursday’s final group match against the USA (live on ZDF from 18:00 CEST), national team manager Oliver Bierhoff and Thomas Müller spoke about their upcoming opponents, analysed the last match against Ghana and expressed their ongoing aims for this World Cup. DFB.de noted their salient comments.
THOMAS MÜLLER ON...
... the match against the USA: We want to play well and concede fewer goals. We want to make sure we win the group and we’re focused on that. We’ve got to be extremely careful, as the tournament can be over more quickly than you realise, and we’ve always got to be aware of that.
... the key to success: The best approach is to keep the ball as much as possible and make sure we do not give up possession needlessly. We’ve got to play passionate, aggressive and smart football.
... the World Cup Golden Boot: I’m very relaxed about that. I want to be a world champion. I’ve already won a Golden Boot so I have no idea what I’d do with a second one, but I haven’t got a World Cup title yet.
... his expectations for the match: We’ll seek to have greater possession but we’ll also try to launch quick counterattacks whenever we win the ball. We have our own way of playing football and we certainly won’t change that. We’ll try to dominate the match, both in attack and defence.
... Jürgen Klinsmann: I owe my early professional development and my first Bundesliga appearance to him. As a young player, it’s always good when you’re handed a chance in football, but we’re playing against the USA this week, not Jürgen Klinsmann.
.... Klinsmann’s influence on the current national team: Of course, he brought in several elements such as the fitness team, for example, but everything else now carries the hallmark of Jogi Löw. He has shaped our philosophy since then.
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OLIVER BIERHOFF ON...
... the squad situation ahead of the USA match: All our players are fit and have completed full training. The coach can call on any of them.
... the encounter with the USA: It’s a crucial game for the USA, and Jürgen Klinsmann will certainly fire up his team.
... the Ghana match: It certainly didn’t all go to plan, but although we had problems we created an incredible number of chances. Our build-up play was strong even though it was a little tougher. When analysing the match we were keen to put things into perspective, as there were plenty of positive elements. If we can avoid unnecessary mistakes, we can win that kind of match.
... his verdict on the first two matches: This is now my tenth major tournament, and every match is like a cup final. But there has always been one match that slips away from us somehow. That doesn’t unsettle us because we know we’ve got what it takes. What’s important is that the team played as a unit and reacted well against Ghana. Whoever we meet in the last 16, it’ll be a tough game.
.... the quality of the USA: They’re very well disciplined and organised on the pitch, and they use their immense determination and athleticism to get themselves back into matches. They’ll try to restrict our combination play by using two or three players in their build-up play when attacking.
... meeting up with Jürgen Klinsmann: I always prefer to look ahead rather than back, so in that respect it won’t be a journey into the past. I’ll always associate him with the great times we had together as players and particularly the intense and successful experience we had at the 2006 World Cup. We haven’t had any contact in the build-up to this tournament because each of us knows we have to focus here. We’ll greet each other warmly but then we’ll go back to concentrating on what each of us has to do.
... Jürgen Klinsmann’s reputation as a great motivator: It’s not fair to simply refer to him as a motivator. He gave German football a spark that has ultimately spread to the Bundesliga too. He has unbelievable energy and a real instinct for situations. He doesn’t shy away from confrontation and has the courage to insist upon or implement things he is convinced about. He has become much more of a coach than a motivator over the years.
