Germany more unified than at Euro 2012, says Lahm

Poland brace themselves for a challenge against England.

BERLIN: Germany captain Philipp Lahm has admitted the atmosphere in the national squad is better than during their failed Euro 2012 campaign.

Germany routed Ireland 6-1 in Dublin on Friday to leave them in control of Group C and in pole position to secure an automatic berth for Brazil 2014 ahead of today’s qualifier at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium with Sweden.

Lahm was suspended for the win at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and says Schweinsteiger was right to draw attention to the lack of harmony which affected the team in June.

“The mood is better than it was at the Euro,” said Bayern Munich’s Lahm. There were murmurs of disharmony in the German squad during Euro 2012 as some of the younger players – particularly Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos – voiced frustration at their lack of game time.

Schweinsteiger also noted that not all the substitutes celebrated when Germany scored a goal at Euro 2012.

“It was certainly the case that some players were unhappy, some with great talent, but you have to put that aside for a tournament.”

Poland braced for high-profile England clash

Buoyed by a three-game unbeaten run, Poland are bracing for one of the toughest games of their campaign to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, against an England team empowered by a 5-0 defeat of minnows San Marino.

History has taught England not to underestimate the Poles, who famously deprived them of a berth at the 1974 World Cup in a crunch qualifier at Wembley.

“Alongside ourselves and Ukraine, Poland bear the burden of being favourites and it will be a tough game,” said England manager Roy Hodgson ahead of today’s game.

Hodgson has been inconvenienced by injury, with Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand both ruled out, along with Theo Walcott, who sustained a chest injury in a heavy challenge by San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini.

Lampard’s absence, however, is slightly offset by the return from suspension of captain Steven Gerrard.

“We’re expecting a much more difficult game on tonight,” said Everton defender Phil Jagielka, whose Polish roots will give the trip to Warsaw a sentimental edge.

Danny Welbeck, who, like Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, scored a brace against San Marino at Wembley on Friday, was gung-ho.

“It’s going to be difficult but once we get on the pitch, we’re going to show our stuff and show everybody what we can do,” said Welbeck.

Denmark hope for first win

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be hoping to silence the critics with a third consecutive World Cup qualifying win when the Azzurri host Group B opponents Denmark today.

Since upsetting the form book by leading Italy to the Euro 2012 final and an eventual 4-0 humbling by Spain, Prandelli has experimented with players and formations as he continues to build a squad for Brazil 2014.

Friday’s win over a determined Armenia side was Italy’s most promising performance of the campaign, but did little to calm the critics. Prandelli says he is still mystified.

“The players and I believe we had a good game, then we woke up and saw the reports and they seemed to be talking about another game altogether,” said Prandelli.

“But if people believe that after the Euro we can just go out and beat everybody hands down, then there’s a problem.”

Denmark, who will head to the San Siro looking for their first win of the campaign, will start as underdogs, having a dismal record against the 2006 World Champions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2012.