Germany reached the Confed Cup semi finals on Sunday thanks to a 3-1 win over Cameroon. DFB spoke to head coach Joachim Löw after the game about the win, and looked ahead to Thursday’s last four clash with Mexico in Sochi.
DFB: Joachim Löw, how happy are you to make the semi-final of the Confed Cup?
Joachim Löw: I am very proud of the boys and full of praise that we have got this far, to be part of the best four. We couldn’t just expect that to happen with the new formation and this team.
DFB: Cameroon made it tough for the boys though?
Löw: It was a knockout match, stay in or go home, and you could see that from our lads in that first period. The anxiety was there for all to see, but you should not be surprised to see that from a young team. What was most impressive was how we turned it around in the second half and remembered how we played against Australia and Chile. As soon as we got those goals are superiority began to show. It was great that we could start again after half-time and put on such a good show after the break.
DFB: What do you make of first-time starters Timo Werner and Marvin Plattenhardt?
Löw: Both did their jobs very well. Marvin was defensively very strong against a very quick attack and remained solid throughout. Timo covered so much ground, the attacks were a little hard to come by so he didn’t get much of a sniff in to begin with but after the break he was able to show how dangerous he can be and prove his instinct and eye for goal. Both goals were really good and so well taken.
DFB: How did you rate the use of the VAR in their sending off?
Germany reached the Confed Cup semi finals on Sunday thanks to a 3-1 win over Cameroon. DFB spoke to head coach Joachim Löw after the game about the win, and looked ahead to Thursday’s last four clash with Mexico in Sochi.
DFB: Joachim Löw, how happy are you to make the semi-final of the Confed Cup?
Joachim Löw: I am very proud of the boys and full of praise that we have got this far, to be part of the best four. We couldn’t just expect that to happen with the new formation and this team.
DFB: Cameroon made it tough for the boys though?
Löw: It was a knockout match, stay in or go home, and you could see that from our lads in that first period. The anxiety was there for all to see, but you should not be surprised to see that from a young team. What was most impressive was how we turned it around in the second half and remembered how we played against Australia and Chile. As soon as we got those goals are superiority began to show. It was great that we could start again after half-time and put on such a good show after the break.
DFB: What do you make of first-time starters Timo Werner and Marvin Plattenhardt?
Löw: Both did their jobs very well. Marvin was defensively very strong against a very quick attack and remained solid throughout. Timo covered so much ground, the attacks were a little hard to come by so he didn’t get much of a sniff in to begin with but after the break he was able to show how dangerous he can be and prove his instinct and eye for goal. Both goals were really good and so well taken.
DFB: How did you rate the use of the VAR in their sending off?
Löw: We are still getting used to the technology but it can definitely be helpful in places - goal or no goal, offside or onside. It probably needs a bit more time to be optimized. But if quick and accurate decision can be made then I find that good.
DFB: Your 150th match as coach brought with it your 100th win. What does that mean to you?
Löw: I’m delighted by that stat. 100 wins are great and will always remind me of my time as national coach. I want to thank all the people who have worked with me from the beginning Oliver Bierhoff, Andreas Kopke, Hansi Flick, Urs Siegenhaler - they are the team behind the team. They have motivated me and given me inspiration. I want to thank all the players too, as well as those who are not here who have played so much in that time. They have achieved these wins with their performances and attitude. There were of course moments that were not so great and disappointing.
DFB: What are you expecting from that game?
Löw: Mexico are a very unpleasant side to face with a lot of technically strong and pacy players. They are a well-versed side. But I am happy that we can have these experiences, because we don’t play against side from Central America that much- It will be an interesting game, they have some quality footballers.
