Neuer: "We have a lot of players who can score goals"

The World Cup winners want to qualify again. The Germany national team face Czech Republic on Saturday in Hamburg (20:45 CEST) in their second Group C qualifying match. They will also face Northern Ireland in Hannover on Tuesday (20:45). Captain Manuel Neuer, World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi and Ilkay Gündogan spoke to DFB.de about the challenges ahead.

Manuel Neuer on…

...THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TWO HOME FIXTURES: We have two important matches coming up and we want to achieve six points. On paper, Czech Republic are the strongest opponent in our group. However we want to beat them in Hamburg. Also, we know how difficult it will be to score goals against Northern Ireland when they sit so deep.

…A SUPPOSED STRIKER PROBLEM: It is important that we have a clear goal. We want to finish top of our group. It’s a shame that a centre-forward like Mario Gomez is unable to feature. But we have a lot of players who can score goals. We are a varied side and we can score goals in many ways. For example, our defenders can score goals. I hope this happens in the match. Although of course it’s good when our strikers score as it gives them a lot of confidence.

…HIS NEW ROLE AS CAPTAIN: I think we’ve been really successful over the past few years. All of our captains have had their own style of leadership but they also let other players have their say. I want to continue this to help us maintain our run of success.

…JOSHUA KIMMICH: His success show s that we have to look for other options when things are difficult upfront and we need ideas to surprise the opponent. We have to give Czech Republic things to worry about and a surprise run from Joshua Kimmich could help us do that. He has developed a lot recently; he has played in many positions and has done well. You can only raise your hat to the player.

…LÖW'S FUTURE AS HEAD COACH: Fundamentally it’s his own decision to make. We all love him as our head coach. He has a lot of experience and he keeps up with the teams. He has brought us far over the past few years. He has been very successful. A lot of coaches stick to their own ideas, but he is always open to new ones.

Ilkay Gündogan on…

…HIS RETURN TO THE NATIONAL TEAM: It’s great to be back with the team. It’s even better to return after such a long time. I know the comeback feeling after the last few years I’ve had, and it feels great to be back.

…HIS PERSONAL GOALS: I want to enjoy the moment. If I am needed, I will be ready. I want to make a good contribution iff I get a chance to go on the pitch. It’s great to see so many familiar faces again and be in and around the National team.

…SUCCEEDING BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER: I would be delighted if my career ended up anything like Bastian Schweinsteiger’s, both for club and for country. Everyone knows how much he did for German football. To be compared to him is a great honour for me. However, I will try and bring my own style of play to the team.

…HIS TIME-OUT WITH INJURY: When you are out for as long as I was, you start to question whether you will ever be able to play at the same level and if you will ever return to full fitness. But I never lost my courage or belief and knew that I could come back from it. I worked extremely hard on my comeback and always believed in myself.

…HIS MOTIVATION IN REHAB: It didn’t take much for me to motivate and push myself. It’s quite normal for this injury to put you out for a while. It just means that every day, you need to give everything to be able get back to full health.

…ENGLAND AND PEP GUARDIOLA: In my opinion, the English Premier League is the strongest league in Europe and probably even the world. There are five or six clubs who are challenging for the title. For example, it was a massive surprise that Leicester won the Premier League last year. The demands on the players and the clubs are huge. There isn’t a huge difference in intensity between the Bundesliga and the Premier league though. It is extremely demanding and also Guardiola is extremely demanding. When you listen to what he has to say, you realise he is a world class coach. I feel right at home at Manchester City.

Shkodran Mustafi on…

…THE GERMAN CENTRAL DEFENCE: Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng have been around a while and have played many internationals together. I look up to both players, as they have proved themselves on the international stage. Both have one numerous titles and I can learn a lot from them. Every time I join up with the national team, I learn something from the players around me.

…HIS MOVE TO ENGLAND: I’ve moved around a few times and I know the feeling of settling in to a new club. However, when we return to the national team, we have to adapt once again and that isn’t always easy. It’s important to now focus on the national team, as we have two crucial games ahead of us.

…THE CONNECTION TO HIS OLD CLUB: Everybody goes their own way eventually. But I still keep track of my old clubs and stay in touch with old teammates. It’s been disappointing to see that Hamburg haven’t played to the best of their ability recently. I think that HSV is one of those clubs that has all the attributes to play at the highest level. I had three fantastic years there and have a lot to thank the club for.