Germany goes into their second World Cup Group E recreation in opposition to Spain on Sunday figuring out it is sort of a closing, Germany coach Hansi Flick mentioned on Saturday, along with his group going through doable elimination if they’re defeated once more.
Requested whether or not the four-time world champions had been nonetheless the mighty match group of the previous as they face the prospect of a second early World Cup exit, he mentioned the sport on Sunday would decide their status.
“This shall be answered on Sunday. Possibly we’ve got one other reply to that query, the appropriate reply,” Flick instructed a information convention.
Collectively 👊#GER #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lHVcaCt1xB
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 25, 2022
The Germans began their World Cup marketing campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat by Japan on Wednesday after holding a 1-0 lead following a dominant first half. However they inexplicably crumbled after the break and let Japan rating twice late within the recreation to grab the win and be part of Spain on three factors.
The Germans suffered their earliest match in 80 years once they crashed out of the primary spherical on the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They had been additionally eradicated within the Final 16 eventually yr’s Euro.
“The final two tournaments weren’t (good),” Flick mentioned. “We wish to keep away from a repeat of this. The main focus is on focus. That is the primary closing for us on the World Cup and that’s what it’s about – to keep away from a repeat of that.”
Flick must anticipate the final coaching session to see if winger Leroy Sane, who was nursing an damage, shall be match to function on Sunday.
“We’ve to attend for closing coaching and afterwards we will say extra (about Sane),” he mentioned. “It’s excellent news that he can practice. Our medics did plenty of good work and we’ll see how the coaching goes.”
Whereas the damage to Sane, who missed their first recreation, could also be of some concern for the coach, a far larger concern is getting the gamers to concentrate on the sport and put the Japan loss behind them.
Flick appeared by himself on the closing information convention previous to the sport and never, as common, with one participant, saying all of them wanted to remain of their coaching base in north Qatar to concentrate on the sport.
“For me the main target is soccer,” Flick mentioned. “I’m satisfied of the thought of how we wish to play. If we’re not on 100% then we give the opponent house. We did it in opposition to Japan. Such a defeat and the way it took place could be very bitter as a result of it was avoidable.”
“However we’ll proceed down our street as a result of we imagine within the high quality of the group and that it may well apply the issues we wish. We’ve braveness and perception going into the sport,” mentioned the German.