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Germany eye powerful display
BERLIN: Germany want a show of power in Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against a Czech Republic side hoping for ‘a little miracle’ against the world champions.
BERLIN: Germany want a show of power in Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against a Czech Republic side hoping for ‘a little miracle’ against the world champions.
“We’re playing against a team that can only be defeated in exceptional circumstances. We hope for a little miracle,” Czech coach Karel Jarolim told German magazine Kicker.
Despite his flattery, the Czechs meet a German team capable of dominating opponents, yet can struggle to turn possession into pressure. Germany are currently a long way from the polished goal-machine which lifted the World Cup two years ago.
Germany’s aim is to stay top of Group C by beating the Czechs, then Northern Ireland next Tuesday in Hanover.
“We have the clear goal of remaining group leaders,” said captain Manuel Neuer. “We have two important games in front of us and we want six points.”
Despite the Czechs’ rebuilding, Germany head coach Joachim Loew is full of respect.
“This will be our toughest competitor in the group, they have good individuals. On paper, they are the strongest in the group,” said Loew.
The main concern in the German camp is efficiency. Finishing chances and converting pressure into goals was their major stumbling block at Euro 2016 and remains an issue.
Loew is without Mario Gomez as his only striker has a glute injury. In his absence, the onus on providing goals will fall to Thomas Mueller, Mario Goetze and Kevin Volland. Yet none of the trio has hit the net for their respective clubs in the Bundesliga. TV TIMINGS: England v Malta, live on Sony Six& HD, 9:20pm; Germany v Czech Republic, live on Sony Six & HD, 12:00am (Sun); Montenegro v Kazakhstan, live on Sony ESPN & HD, 9:30pm; Poland v Denmark, live on Sony ESPN & HD, 12:00am (Sun)
