+ A
A -
DPA
Berlin
Germany were set to move into their Euro 2020 base camp on Tuesday, boosted by a 7-1 demolition of Latvia but with a lot of work left ahead of their tournament opener against world champions France in a week’s time.
The scoreline Monday was identical to that against Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer freely admitted that the match seven years ago en route to the title was “a little more special.”
Germany have not lifted a trophy since then, and the team faces a big challenge at the Euros after many modest results lately, given that their group also includes title holders Portugal, plus Hungary.
Outgoing coach Joachim Loew has said while Monday’s win is good for morale a lot of fine-tuning is needed at the camp in southern German Herzogenaurach ahead of the three games in Munich on June 15, 19 and 23.
“The topics will remain the same: How can we improve in certain situations? How do we defend the spaces? How do we defend while pressing? What are the fifty-fifty challenges looking like?” Loew said.
“Those are the defensive questions. Using the space, creating and opening up the space - these will be the things to work on up front.
There’s a distinct lack of space in modern football. We need to do this well, regardless of the formation. We need some fine-tuning here.”
Loew’s team played with a lot of enthusiasm, with returning Thomas Mueller among the scorers and Joshua Kimmich back on the right side and Ilkay Guendogan and Toni Kroos the holding midfielders instead, with Mueller, Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry lively up front.
Loew also warned not to draw conclusions about the line-up against France or whether the team would act as successful.
“We’ve got a completely different opponent ahead of us - in terms of flexibility, versatility and individual quality, they are on a whole other level,” Loew said on Monday night.
“This win should not make us believe that the work is done. The work is only just beginning. If you switch off against France, it won’t take a lot. We need to keep working hard on this, we need fine-tuning. But the basics are good. France will be a different kind of opponent, putting us under a different kind of pressure - there’s no point comparing it to today’s game.”
“We want to keep the high intensity for a few more days, so that players are fighting for the positions.
“There are a few more considerations to be had.” Mueller said the team was “well aware that it will be a very different kettle of fish against France” but was upbeat in general, just like captain and Bayern Munich team-mate Neuer, who became the first Germany goalkeeper to reach 100 caps on the night.
“I have a very good impression of the boys. We have a lot of trust in each other. It won’t be easy as we have a tough group, but we’re an unpleasant team to play against. I have a good feeling about the tournament,” Neuer said.A 7-1 win over Latvia was a good result for morale but Germany face a lot of more work ahead of their tough Euro 2020 opening game against world champions France.
Berlin
Germany were set to move into their Euro 2020 base camp on Tuesday, boosted by a 7-1 demolition of Latvia but with a lot of work left ahead of their tournament opener against world champions France in a week’s time.
The scoreline Monday was identical to that against Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer freely admitted that the match seven years ago en route to the title was “a little more special.”
Germany have not lifted a trophy since then, and the team faces a big challenge at the Euros after many modest results lately, given that their group also includes title holders Portugal, plus Hungary.
Outgoing coach Joachim Loew has said while Monday’s win is good for morale a lot of fine-tuning is needed at the camp in southern German Herzogenaurach ahead of the three games in Munich on June 15, 19 and 23.
“The topics will remain the same: How can we improve in certain situations? How do we defend the spaces? How do we defend while pressing? What are the fifty-fifty challenges looking like?” Loew said.
“Those are the defensive questions. Using the space, creating and opening up the space - these will be the things to work on up front.
There’s a distinct lack of space in modern football. We need to do this well, regardless of the formation. We need some fine-tuning here.”
Loew’s team played with a lot of enthusiasm, with returning Thomas Mueller among the scorers and Joshua Kimmich back on the right side and Ilkay Guendogan and Toni Kroos the holding midfielders instead, with Mueller, Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry lively up front.
Loew also warned not to draw conclusions about the line-up against France or whether the team would act as successful.
“We’ve got a completely different opponent ahead of us - in terms of flexibility, versatility and individual quality, they are on a whole other level,” Loew said on Monday night.
“This win should not make us believe that the work is done. The work is only just beginning. If you switch off against France, it won’t take a lot. We need to keep working hard on this, we need fine-tuning. But the basics are good. France will be a different kind of opponent, putting us under a different kind of pressure - there’s no point comparing it to today’s game.”
“We want to keep the high intensity for a few more days, so that players are fighting for the positions.
“There are a few more considerations to be had.” Mueller said the team was “well aware that it will be a very different kettle of fish against France” but was upbeat in general, just like captain and Bayern Munich team-mate Neuer, who became the first Germany goalkeeper to reach 100 caps on the night.
“I have a very good impression of the boys. We have a lot of trust in each other. It won’t be easy as we have a tough group, but we’re an unpleasant team to play against. I have a good feeling about the tournament,” Neuer said.A 7-1 win over Latvia was a good result for morale but Germany face a lot of more work ahead of their tough Euro 2020 opening game against world champions France.
