Can: "Lots of things are going well"

Sotschi, black sea coast, the sun is shining. It's 30ºC on the training pitch. After a day off, Germany have started their preparations for the semi-final of the Confederations Cup on Thursday against Mexico (20:00 CEST). Emre Can put in convincing performances against Chile and Cameroon and is now hungry for more. The 23-year-old Liverpool midfielder speaks about the mood in the camp and his special memories of internationals against Mexico.

Question: Mr Can, how is the mood in the camp ahead of the semi-final against Mexico?

Emre Can: Good, sometimes the days drag a little because we're a long way from home and stuck in a hotel. But now everyone is looking forward to the game against Mexico. We're in the semi-final and have a big chance of reaching the final. We'll be ready for the match.

Question: Head coach Joachim Löw gave the team Monday off. What did you get up to?

Can: Hung around the pool and sun bathed.

Question: What are your thoughts on your semi-final opponent?

Can: Mexico is a tricky opponent. Similar to Chile, Mexico have a lot of agile, technically gifted players. It will be anything but an easy game. We mustn't shy away from the challenge though, rather we need to play our game.

Question: Are you surprised at how well this newly formed team has gelled?

Can: We're not surprised, but lots of people probably didn't expect that. Obviously, the quality is there, but notwithstanding that we've never played together before. Therefore, given that we've only spent two weeks together, lots of things are going very, very well. Everyone wants to prove themselves, even in training. We're a young, hungry team.

Question: What has your experience been like at this Confed Cup?

Can: For me it's a chance to show what I can do on the big stage wearing the Germany shirt. I think that the two games which I started went well. I'm one of the more experienced players here. I want to help the boys, inspire the team and, above all, put in good performances.

Question: How has playing in the Premier League helped your development.

Can: Liverpool has helped me a lot. I've learnt a lot in my three years there. I'm a lot tougher in the tackle now. I've also developed as a person whilst in England.

Question: Liverpool have just signed Mohamed Salah. Are you happy with that?

Can: Yes, I'm very happy about that. He's a good player. I was looking at his stats just the other day.

Question: A reigning world champion is with you in Russia. What is Miroslav Klose's role as an assistant coach?

Can: Miro chats a lot with all of the players. He sees a lot of the little things and tells us how we can improve. He told me how certain strikers move and we've spoken about the right time to play out from the back. I can learn a lot from Miro.

Question: Which of the new internationals have impressed you?

Can: I don't want to name one player. They've all done really well. We're a young team and some of them have done really well in their first internationals.

Question: Julian Draxler has captained the side at the Confed Cup. What's his approach been until now?

Can: Very good. He's not always the loudest. Everyone has seen his enormous quality in the three matches. He demands the ball and always wants to initiate the next attack. He speaks to all of the players and wants to help the young players. He does that very well.

Question: This team won't ever play together again will it?

Can: It's impossible to say. Lots of the guys have shown that they are good enough to play for Germany in the future.

Question: Germany met Mexico in the semi-final of the 2011 U17 World Cup. You were the captain at the time and it was a spectacular match. Do you remember it?

Can: Yes, of course. Unfortunately, we lost the match 3-2. The Mexicans scored a bicycle kick from a corner in the 89th minute. But that's six years ago now. I was 17 at the time and it won't have any effect on Thursday.