Intensive, hotly-contested, nerve-racking. The players of the Germany Olympics team were united in their description of the opening match of the Olympic Games in Brazil. The 2-2 draw against Mexico, who won the 2012 gold medal in London, was not for the faint-hearted. For head coach Horst Hrubesch, one thing was clear: "It was an amazing match."
Hrubesch had to completely change his match tactics in just the 28th minute. Leon Goretzka, captain and key player of the team, signalled for a change after taking a knock to the shoulder. Serge Gnabry was called upon to make an unexpected appearance on the wing, while Max Meyer took the captain’s armband and Leon Goretzka’s position in central midfield.
"You shouldn’t think too much in a moment like that”, says Gnabry. "You need to get yourself ready quickly and put everything in on the pitch." Easier said than done? Not for Joker! As soon as he entered the field of play, the pacey winger created a number of dangerous opportunities for his team.
Gnabry: "I would have liked to grab another"
Unfortunately, the first goal went the other way. In the second half, Mexico’s captain initiated the exchange of blows with the first goal of the game. In the 52nd minute, Oribe Peralta slammed the ball into the back of the net from a corner, leaving the impressive Timo Horn with no chance in the Germany goal.
Gnabry responded quickly but flicked the ball marginally wide of the post. However, in the 58th minute he went one better after an outstanding pass from Niklas Süle. Gnabry hit the ball beautifully with his right foot, putting it low into the right-hand corner. "As an attacking player, it is always great to receive quick balls near the goal", says the 21-year-old from Arsenal. "We played some really good balls forward. The fact that it resulted in a goal for me today makes me really happy, even though I would have liked to grab another."
Ginter: "We have shown a lot of character"
But celebrations were quickly put on hold, as Rodolfo Pizarro put Mexico back in front just five minutes later. An emotional roller-coaster. The Germany Olympics team didn’t give up though and deservedly bagged the equaliser through Matthias Ginter in the 78th minute. The world champion headed home from a corner.
"We have shown a lot of character today”, said the Dortmunder after the match. "We fought from behind twice and thoroughly deserved this point against a tough opposition."
Intensive, hotly-contested, nerve-racking. The players of the Germany Olympics team were united in their description of the opening match of the Olympic Games in Brazil. The 2-2 draw against Mexico, who won the 2012 gold medal in London, was not for the faint-hearted. For head coach Horst Hrubesch, one thing was clear: "It was an amazing match."
Hrubesch had to completely change his match tactics in just the 28th minute. Leon Goretzka, captain and key player of the team, signalled for a change after taking a knock to the shoulder. Serge Gnabry was called upon to make an unexpected appearance on the wing, while Max Meyer took the captain’s armband and Leon Goretzka’s position in central midfield.
"You shouldn’t think too much in a moment like that”, says Gnabry. "You need to get yourself ready quickly and put everything in on the pitch." Easier said than done? Not for Joker! As soon as he entered the field of play, the pacey winger created a number of dangerous opportunities for his team.
Gnabry: "I would have liked to grab another"
Unfortunately, the first goal went the other way. In the second half, Mexico’s captain initiated the exchange of blows with the first goal of the game. In the 52nd minute, Oribe Peralta slammed the ball into the back of the net from a corner, leaving the impressive Timo Horn with no chance in the Germany goal.
Gnabry responded quickly but flicked the ball marginally wide of the post. However, in the 58th minute he went one better after an outstanding pass from Niklas Süle. Gnabry hit the ball beautifully with his right foot, putting it low into the right-hand corner. "As an attacking player, it is always great to receive quick balls near the goal", says the 21-year-old from Arsenal. "We played some really good balls forward. The fact that it resulted in a goal for me today makes me really happy, even though I would have liked to grab another."
Ginter: "We have shown a lot of character"
But celebrations were quickly put on hold, as Rodolfo Pizarro put Mexico back in front just five minutes later. An emotional roller-coaster. The Germany Olympics team didn’t give up though and deservedly bagged the equaliser through Matthias Ginter in the 78th minute. The world champion headed home from a corner.
"We have shown a lot of character today”, said the Dortmunder after the match. "We fought from behind twice and thoroughly deserved this point against a tough opposition."
###more###
Second group match against front-runners South Korea
His coach was also happy with the brave performance, but wants to work on some fine details in the coming days. "It was clear to see that we are still not at 100 percent after such a short preparation", says Hrubesch. "The character and the performance that my team delivered were top quality." And this was confirmed by DFB sporting director Hansi Flick: "It was fantastic how the team came back from behind and fought their way back into the match. We are proud."
The Germany Olympics team now have two days to work on the fine details, before the next match in Group C on Sunday (21:00 CEST). Hrubesch’s team will return to the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador to face South Korea, who won 8-0 in their opening match against Fiji. Captain Leon Goretzka is being assessed today, and will find out if he can take part in the game.
