Low: Germany better than at Euro 2008
Reuters - Tuesday 06 July 2010, 19:03
DURBAN - Germany are better than they were
two years ago when they lost the Euro 2008 final to Spain, the
team they will come up against in their World Cup semi-final on
Wednesday, Germany coach Joachim Low said.
Low told reporters on Tuesday that while Spain were
essentially the same world-class team that beat them 1-0 in
2008, Germany had made big strides.
GEAR: Get your Germany shirt
"Two years later for us there are many changes while the
Spaniards are similar. We have made progress in the style of
football we play and the results we get," he said.
"We were not as consistent and our quality was not as good.
Now our combination is much better as is our flowing game."
Low's view was also shared by his Spain counterpart only
minutes later.
"They have undertaken a renewal with an important base of
young players. They have conserved their values and added
players of technical quality. They make a good mix," said
Vicente del Bosque, who took over the team after their 2008
victory.
GERMAN VISION
"First of all it is us who have to play our game. Everybody
knows Spain. We have our own ideas and we want to impose our own
playing style on the game," Low said.
Low said he had no doubt Germany's youngest World Cup squad
in 76 years would rise to the occasion.
"Have I doubted them until today?," Low said when asked
whether his young team could step up to the plate in what is the
first major tournament for many of his players.
"So why should I do it today?" he said.
Germany have been the most exciting team to watch in the
tournament, firing four goals past England in the second round
and Argentina in the quarter-finals. They have so far only
conceded two goals in five matches.
"We know the Spaniards have been playing together a long
time and they are the team that makes the fewest mistakes.
Hardly any.
"But we have the confidence to know that we have the power
and creativity and if we can cause problems in their game
development, we will get our chances," the 50-year-old said.
"We know we cannot pin them back throughout the match but we
have to force them back ... and use every chance to attack," he
said.
Low will have a full squad to pick from, apart from
suspended striker Thomas Muller. Either striker Cacau or one of
Toni Kroos and Piotr Trochowski would replace him with a
decision to be taken just before the game.
"The mood is good but not euphoric. I see concentration and
feel that everyone involved wants more. The aim can only be one:
to win this game and climb this mountain."
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