After a summer full of magic for the Germany senior squad, there are two games left to play before the curtain comes down on a spectacular year. Since winning the World Cup in Rio, Germany have made a slow start to European Championship qualifying but play one more qualifier (against Gibraltar) before facing Spain in a prestigious friendly in Vigo. “We are looking forward to the match. We want to end a fantastic year with victory,” said Joachim Löw.
The game sees the current World Champions face the previous incumbents of the honour. The 2010 winners host Germany, who became the kings of world football after beating Argentina 1-0 in the Maracana. “Since Brazil football’s world order has altered slightly. The Spanish team suffered great disappointment in the finals and will be doing all they can to end the year on a high and beat the World Champions,” added Löw.
Chance to get back on track
Since the World Cup, Germany have played three competitive internationals, as well as losing to Argentina in a rematch of the World Cup final in a friendly. A home victory against Poland was followed up by defeat in Poland and a draw at home to Ireland, who grabbed a last gap equaliser in Gelsenkirchen. “We are obviously disappointed. We haven’t got as many points from the games as expected,” said the manager. The upcoming games offer the chance to get back on track and return to the levels shown in Brazil.
Post success hangover
After winning the World Cup in 1954, Germany lost four of their next five matches. After the 1974 success things weren’t as bad: They beat Switzerland and Malta, drew with Bulgaria and Greece and were only beaten by England.
A similar post-success hangover can be seen elsewhere. After winning the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Italy lost games against Croatia and France and only managed a draw against Lithuania. Spain had a more successful post World Cup victory transition, beating Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Scotland in competitive internationals although they did suffer heavy defeats in friendlies against Argentina and Portugal.
Löw: "They are doing what I ask"
Despite the results, Löw believes that his team haven’t played badly: “We created a lot of chances in both games and didn’t give that much away. My team are doing what I ask.” Against Poland they created 28 chances, compared to five for the hosts, whilst Ireland manager Martin O’Neil is aware that his side “had a lot of luck.” After the Poland game Toni Kroos said: “We’ve played a lot worse in games before and come away with three points. We played well today but have lost.”
Another contributing factor could the change in personnel. After the tournament key players Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker retired, whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil and Marco Reus have spent time out injured. Ahead of the game against Ireland André Schürrle and Christoph Kramer suffered from illness. Löw is impressed with the players who have taken more responsibility after the tournament (Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Jérôme Boateng and Toni Kroos): “They are doing will. They are setting a good example and are leading the team well.”
The last round of qualifiers saw Karim Bellarabi link up with the senior squad for the first time and he impressed in both matches. His performance against Poland was so impressive that Löw announced that he would be starting the game against Ireland 24 hours before the match.
Löw’s coaching team (assistant manager Thomas Schneider, goalkeeper coach Andreas Köpke and the scouts led by Urs Siegenthaler) have analysed October’s games in detail and have prepared plans for the games against Gibraltar and Spain – “It’s now time to look forward,” said Löw.
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After a summer full of magic for the Germany senior squad, there are two games left to play before the curtain comes down on a spectacular year. Since winning the World Cup in Rio, Germany have made a slow start to European Championship qualifying but play one more qualifier (against Gibraltar) before facing Spain in a prestigious friendly in Vigo. “We are looking forward to the match. We want to end a fantastic year with victory,” said Joachim Löw.
The game sees the current World Champions face the previous incumbents of the honour. The 2010 winners host Germany, who became the kings of world football after beating Argentina 1-0 in the Maracana. “Since Brazil football’s world order has altered slightly. The Spanish team suffered great disappointment in the finals and will be doing all they can to end the year on a high and beat the World Champions,” added Löw.
Chance to get back on track
Since the World Cup, Germany have played three competitive internationals, as well as losing to Argentina in a rematch of the World Cup final in a friendly. A home victory against Poland was followed up by defeat in Poland and a draw at home to Ireland, who grabbed a last gap equaliser in Gelsenkirchen. “We are obviously disappointed. We haven’t got as many points from the games as expected,” said the manager. The upcoming games offer the chance to get back on track and return to the levels shown in Brazil.
Post success hangover
After winning the World Cup in 1954, Germany lost four of their next five matches. After the 1974 success things weren’t as bad: They beat Switzerland and Malta, drew with Bulgaria and Greece and were only beaten by England.
A similar post-success hangover can be seen elsewhere. After winning the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Italy lost games against Croatia and France and only managed a draw against Lithuania. Spain had a more successful post World Cup victory transition, beating Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Scotland in competitive internationals although they did suffer heavy defeats in friendlies against Argentina and Portugal.
Löw: "They are doing what I ask"
Despite the results, Löw believes that his team haven’t played badly: “We created a lot of chances in both games and didn’t give that much away. My team are doing what I ask.” Against Poland they created 28 chances, compared to five for the hosts, whilst Ireland manager Martin O’Neil is aware that his side “had a lot of luck.” After the Poland game Toni Kroos said: “We’ve played a lot worse in games before and come away with three points. We played well today but have lost.”
Another contributing factor could the change in personnel. After the tournament key players Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker retired, whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil and Marco Reus have spent time out injured. Ahead of the game against Ireland André Schürrle and Christoph Kramer suffered from illness. Löw is impressed with the players who have taken more responsibility after the tournament (Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Jérôme Boateng and Toni Kroos): “They are doing will. They are setting a good example and are leading the team well.”
The last round of qualifiers saw Karim Bellarabi link up with the senior squad for the first time and he impressed in both matches. His performance against Poland was so impressive that Löw announced that he would be starting the game against Ireland 24 hours before the match.
Löw’s coaching team (assistant manager Thomas Schneider, goalkeeper coach Andreas Köpke and the scouts led by Urs Siegenthaler) have analysed October’s games in detail and have prepared plans for the games against Gibraltar and Spain – “It’s now time to look forward,” said Löw.
