Loew demands improved German side for quarters
Coach wants more agility after 2-1 win over Algeria in extra-time.
PORTO ALEGRE:
Germany coach Joachim Loew insists his side must improve for Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against France after a below-par performance in their 2-1 extra-time win over Algeria in the last 16.
Late goals by Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil sealed victory in Porto Alegre on Monday to put three-time winners Germany into the last eight.
Didier Deschamps’ France lie in wait at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium, but Loew says his side must remedy their poor finishing and defensive errors against Algeria.
“We must be better for the match against the French,” admitted the 54-year-old Germany head coach.
“Today [Tuesday] was a victory of the will.
“During the first half we were poor; we gave away a lot of ball, which invited Algeria to counter-attack us.”
Chelsea winger Schuerrle put the Germans ahead with a 92nd-minute flick to reward his impressive display after replacing the ineffective Mario Goetze at half-time.
“We’d have preferred to win in 90 minutes, but the Algerians did a good job,” said Schuerrle.
“We don’t care how we did it; the main thing is we’re in the quarter-finals.”
Loew revealed Germany’s right-back Shkodran Mustafi is set to miss the rest of the tournament, while Bastian Schweinsteiger should be fit despite limping off in extra-time.
“Mustafi did a great job, but he’s pulled a muscle and I don’t think he will play a further role in this tournament,” said Loew.
“Schweinsteiger just had cramps at the end, he was just empty after the 90 minutes, but he isn’t injured.”
Loew also singled out Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for an impressive display to repeatedly thwart Algeria’s attacks until Abdelmoumene Djabou claimed a late goal.
“Neuer had an extraordinary game, he didn’t just have to pull off a lot of saves, but he kept cutting out their long passes into his area and dealt well with them,” said Loew.
“He came out a lot and had a great save right at the end when Algeria were desperate for a goal.”
The Maracana quarter-final clash between Germany and France will surely stir the memories of the 1982 World Cup semi-final where West Germany went through 5-4 on penalties.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2014.
Germany coach Joachim Loew insists his side must improve for Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against France after a below-par performance in their 2-1 extra-time win over Algeria in the last 16.
Late goals by Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil sealed victory in Porto Alegre on Monday to put three-time winners Germany into the last eight.
Didier Deschamps’ France lie in wait at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium, but Loew says his side must remedy their poor finishing and defensive errors against Algeria.
“We must be better for the match against the French,” admitted the 54-year-old Germany head coach.
“Today [Tuesday] was a victory of the will.
“During the first half we were poor; we gave away a lot of ball, which invited Algeria to counter-attack us.”
Chelsea winger Schuerrle put the Germans ahead with a 92nd-minute flick to reward his impressive display after replacing the ineffective Mario Goetze at half-time.
“We’d have preferred to win in 90 minutes, but the Algerians did a good job,” said Schuerrle.
“We don’t care how we did it; the main thing is we’re in the quarter-finals.”
Loew revealed Germany’s right-back Shkodran Mustafi is set to miss the rest of the tournament, while Bastian Schweinsteiger should be fit despite limping off in extra-time.
“Mustafi did a great job, but he’s pulled a muscle and I don’t think he will play a further role in this tournament,” said Loew.
“Schweinsteiger just had cramps at the end, he was just empty after the 90 minutes, but he isn’t injured.”
Loew also singled out Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for an impressive display to repeatedly thwart Algeria’s attacks until Abdelmoumene Djabou claimed a late goal.
“Neuer had an extraordinary game, he didn’t just have to pull off a lot of saves, but he kept cutting out their long passes into his area and dealt well with them,” said Loew.
“He came out a lot and had a great save right at the end when Algeria were desperate for a goal.”
The Maracana quarter-final clash between Germany and France will surely stir the memories of the 1982 World Cup semi-final where West Germany went through 5-4 on penalties.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2014.