The stage is set for Germany versus France in today's World Cup quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro (6 pm CET, live on ARD). The famous Germany internationals trained in arguably the world's most famous stadium, supervised by a hardly unknown head coach. An hour at the Maracanã was a special hour, even for the likes of Toni Kroos and Joachim Löw, because it represents a milestone in any footballing career.
The most seasoned veteran feels his pulse quicken when he steps out onto the sacred Maracanã turf. The group went through their drills - and then the talking started. Following the final pre-match session the head coach addressed the international media, and he was followed by one of the most coveted players in the world. Both were asked the same question, relating to the player's future. Spanish media claim Kroos has sealed a move to Real Madrid, so the question was inevitable: what is the true story behind Toni Kroos and Real Madrid?
Kroos to Real? Nothing to report
The coach was in the happy position of facing the press before the player. "He'll be here in a moment so you can ask him yourselves,” Löw said diplomatically. And the media men duly asked the question. Once the midfielder took to the podium and following a couple of warm-up questions, the gathering turned to the hot topic of the moment: Kroos was asked point-blank about the rumours from Spain.
The 24-year-old was poised to deliver his answer, but broke off in wonder and surprise at events in the auditorium. The pack of photographers were not taking any chances lest they miss the moment when the 24-year-old confirmed his switch to Spain. The room was illuminated by hundreds of flashbulbs and filled with the whirr of shutters as Kroos opened his mouth to speak. And what he had to say was a question in response to a question: "Why are you all suddenly taking photos?"
There was to be no instant headline for the global media. "I can't really help you very much, I already spoke to a press conference after the Portugal match," the player said, “and nothing's changed since then.” In other words, his statement at the time remains valid: "Nothing will be decided during the World Cup," Kroos confirmed. "I want to focus 100 percent on the World Cup and nothing can distract me from that."
Kroos’ outstanding personal stats
Kroos has certainly succeeded in that respect with convincing displays in all four of Germany's matches so far. He has covered a lot of ground, more in fact than he thought himself capable of. But the standout feature has been his intelligent and precise passing. Germany are the best passing team at the tournament with a total of 2,560 played and 84% completion. Kroos has been a major contributor to that impressive record with two assists and personal pass completion stats of 85.5 percent.
The 24-year-old's name was already on the shopping list compiled by a clutch of the world's top clubs, and he may have moved up a few places in the wake of his consistent excellence in Brazil. But his answer to the Real question at the press conference put an end to that topic and moved the gathering swiftly on to the fundamentally more interesting matter of Germany's form and the mouth-watering clash with France.
Kroos: We’re strong in midfield
The hot topic for the media was how Germany might line up in midfield, and specifically whether Philipp Lahm would play in the centre or revert to right-back. Practically everyone has his or her opinion, and practically no-one has refrained from voicing it. When Kroos was canvassed for his views, he was not in the happy position of announcing that the coach would be along in a minute, because the coach had already gone. Nor was Löw likely to return for a second Q&A. But Kroos again chose to turn the tables: "That's not a question for me. The coach has just been here."
However, the player did make a contribution to the great debate by offering his thoughts on Germany's midfield: "I think we have a very good midfield and we've largely dominated and controlled our matches from midfield." He also gave his opinion on Lahm as a player. “All I know is that he's as outstanding in midfield as he is at right-back," the Bayern dynamo declared, before looping back to his earlier statement: "But at the end of the day I don't decide where he plays."
To set up the meeting with Lahm and his team-mates, the French defeated Nigeria in the last sixteen but needed two late goals before prevailing. Les Bleus feature two Champions League winners in their line-up with Real pair Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema. The French will provide comfortably the toughest opposition so far, but the huge prize of a semi-final berth is at stake. "We know France are absolutely one of the top nations," acknowledged Kroos. "They have fantastic players and they’ve been unbelievably good as a team so far."
"We have a good chance of winning"
Kroos thinks the key factor for Germany is to dominate the midfield area and win the important tackles. "If we do that I think we have a good chance of winning the match," he intoned. "We know France have a great line-up, but if each and every one of us plays to his potential I think we have the better team. But obviously we have to go out there and perform."
‘Out there’ is the sacred turf at the Maracanã. Kroos knows the stadium occupies a special place in the global game. "We've heard a lot about the history of the stadium. It used to be the biggest in the world," he said. "But the outcome against France won't depend on the stadium, it'll depend on us. It's up to us whether we come away from the stadium with happy memories. And I'm obviously hoping we'll be back there one more time."
That would be on 13 July, when the Maracanã stages the final of the 2014 World Cup and the coronation of the 20th world champions.
created by sl
[bild1]
The stage is set for Germany versus France in today's World Cup quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro (6 pm CET, live on ARD). The famous Germany internationals trained in arguably the world's most famous stadium, supervised by a hardly unknown head coach. An hour at the Maracanã was a special hour, even for the likes of Toni Kroos and Joachim Löw, because it represents a milestone in any footballing career.
The most seasoned veteran feels his pulse quicken when he steps out onto the sacred Maracanã turf. The group went through their drills - and then the talking started. Following the final pre-match session the head coach addressed the international media, and he was followed by one of the most coveted players in the world. Both were asked the same question, relating to the player's future. Spanish media claim Kroos has sealed a move to Real Madrid, so the question was inevitable: what is the true story behind Toni Kroos and Real Madrid?
Kroos to Real? Nothing to report
The coach was in the happy position of facing the press before the player. "He'll be here in a moment so you can ask him yourselves,” Löw said diplomatically. And the media men duly asked the question. Once the midfielder took to the podium and following a couple of warm-up questions, the gathering turned to the hot topic of the moment: Kroos was asked point-blank about the rumours from Spain.
The 24-year-old was poised to deliver his answer, but broke off in wonder and surprise at events in the auditorium. The pack of photographers were not taking any chances lest they miss the moment when the 24-year-old confirmed his switch to Spain. The room was illuminated by hundreds of flashbulbs and filled with the whirr of shutters as Kroos opened his mouth to speak. And what he had to say was a question in response to a question: "Why are you all suddenly taking photos?"
There was to be no instant headline for the global media. "I can't really help you very much, I already spoke to a press conference after the Portugal match," the player said, “and nothing's changed since then.” In other words, his statement at the time remains valid: "Nothing will be decided during the World Cup," Kroos confirmed. "I want to focus 100 percent on the World Cup and nothing can distract me from that."
Kroos’ outstanding personal stats
Kroos has certainly succeeded in that respect with convincing displays in all four of Germany's matches so far. He has covered a lot of ground, more in fact than he thought himself capable of. But the standout feature has been his intelligent and precise passing. Germany are the best passing team at the tournament with a total of 2,560 played and 84% completion. Kroos has been a major contributor to that impressive record with two assists and personal pass completion stats of 85.5 percent.
The 24-year-old's name was already on the shopping list compiled by a clutch of the world's top clubs, and he may have moved up a few places in the wake of his consistent excellence in Brazil. But his answer to the Real question at the press conference put an end to that topic and moved the gathering swiftly on to the fundamentally more interesting matter of Germany's form and the mouth-watering clash with France.
Kroos: We’re strong in midfield
The hot topic for the media was how Germany might line up in midfield, and specifically whether Philipp Lahm would play in the centre or revert to right-back. Practically everyone has his or her opinion, and practically no-one has refrained from voicing it. When Kroos was canvassed for his views, he was not in the happy position of announcing that the coach would be along in a minute, because the coach had already gone. Nor was Löw likely to return for a second Q&A. But Kroos again chose to turn the tables: "That's not a question for me. The coach has just been here."
[bild2]
However, the player did make a contribution to the great debate by offering his thoughts on Germany's midfield: "I think we have a very good midfield and we've largely dominated and controlled our matches from midfield." He also gave his opinion on Lahm as a player. “All I know is that he's as outstanding in midfield as he is at right-back," the Bayern dynamo declared, before looping back to his earlier statement: "But at the end of the day I don't decide where he plays."
To set up the meeting with Lahm and his team-mates, the French defeated Nigeria in the last sixteen but needed two late goals before prevailing. Les Bleus feature two Champions League winners in their line-up with Real pair Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema. The French will provide comfortably the toughest opposition so far, but the huge prize of a semi-final berth is at stake. "We know France are absolutely one of the top nations," acknowledged Kroos. "They have fantastic players and they’ve been unbelievably good as a team so far."
"We have a good chance of winning"
Kroos thinks the key factor for Germany is to dominate the midfield area and win the important tackles. "If we do that I think we have a good chance of winning the match," he intoned. "We know France have a great line-up, but if each and every one of us plays to his potential I think we have the better team. But obviously we have to go out there and perform."
‘Out there’ is the sacred turf at the Maracanã. Kroos knows the stadium occupies a special place in the global game. "We've heard a lot about the history of the stadium. It used to be the biggest in the world," he said. "But the outcome against France won't depend on the stadium, it'll depend on us. It's up to us whether we come away from the stadium with happy memories. And I'm obviously hoping we'll be back there one more time."
That would be on 13 July, when the Maracanã stages the final of the 2014 World Cup and the coronation of the 20th world champions.
