With the World Cup getting ever closer, so too is Germany’s opening game. On Sunday, Joachim Löw’s side face Mexico. Two days before Die Mannschaft get underway, Joshua Kimmich spoke about his excitement ahead of his World Cup debut.
Joshua Kimmich on…
… his excitement for the World Cup and his personal goals: The first game is getting ever closer and of course my excitement is growing too. Everyone is getting excited for it to start. Personally, I’d like to put in a good performance in every game. To do that, I just need to keep pushing myself and I’ll achieve a childhood dream. We want to get off to a good start as a team. We’re all focused and training well.
his physical condition: After the Austria game, I was simply tired. After the Saudi Arabia game, I felt much better. At the end of the season I realised I’d played a lot of football and had a lot left to play. Also, we’ve been training with serious intensity. However, we’re all ready to go for the start of the World Cup.
his status in the team: When I have something to say, I don’t feel apprehensive about addressing it. That’s how we improve. When a player has a query, it’s important that they speak out.
Being Philipp Lahm’s successor as a right-back: Lahm made that position his own and he was a leading part of the team. I’m 23 and I can’t be a perfect fit yet as I lack the experience. Also, I don’t want to copy him – I’m Joshua Kimmich not Philipp Lahm 2.0.
… the team’s development: The core of the team is quite similar when you look at the EURO 2016 team. A few younger players have joined us and I think it’s a good mix.
… Timo Werner: At the Confed-Cup, he showed how important he can be for us. His speed and ability in front of goal make him a dangerous weapon.
Oliver Bierhoff on…
… the finishing touches of preparations: It’s my ninth tournament. There’s a certain pattern that recurs. The preparation was very focused. There were one or two friendlies that didn’t quite go to plan. They show what we need to work on. Then, you’re just glad to get the ball rolling and that’s when the focus becomes even more concentrated. The two to three days here have helped the players to clear their heads. That makes me confident. We have the self-belief and we’ll take it seriously. The conditions are good. We have a great training pitch. The team are working together.
… the team quarters in Watutinki: The quarters are very good. Sure, it’s not Campo Bahia but we have to forget about that over time. We have everything we need here. We’ve had some good moments here already. It doesn’t always have to be about sun and sea.
With the World Cup getting ever closer, so too is Germany’s opening game. On Sunday, Joachim Löw’s side face Mexico. Two days before Die Mannschaft get underway, Joshua Kimmich spoke about his excitement ahead of his World Cup debut.
Joshua Kimmich on…
… his excitement for the World Cup and his personal goals: The first game is getting ever closer and of course my excitement is growing too. Everyone is getting excited for it to start. Personally, I’d like to put in a good performance in every game. To do that, I just need to keep pushing myself and I’ll achieve a childhood dream. We want to get off to a good start as a team. We’re all focused and training well.
his physical condition: After the Austria game, I was simply tired. After the Saudi Arabia game, I felt much better. At the end of the season I realised I’d played a lot of football and had a lot left to play. Also, we’ve been training with serious intensity. However, we’re all ready to go for the start of the World Cup.
his status in the team: When I have something to say, I don’t feel apprehensive about addressing it. That’s how we improve. When a player has a query, it’s important that they speak out.
Being Philipp Lahm’s successor as a right-back: Lahm made that position his own and he was a leading part of the team. I’m 23 and I can’t be a perfect fit yet as I lack the experience. Also, I don’t want to copy him – I’m Joshua Kimmich not Philipp Lahm 2.0.
… the team’s development: The core of the team is quite similar when you look at the EURO 2016 team. A few younger players have joined us and I think it’s a good mix.
… Timo Werner: At the Confed-Cup, he showed how important he can be for us. His speed and ability in front of goal make him a dangerous weapon.
Oliver Bierhoff on…
… the finishing touches of preparations: It’s my ninth tournament. There’s a certain pattern that recurs. The preparation was very focused. There were one or two friendlies that didn’t quite go to plan. They show what we need to work on. Then, you’re just glad to get the ball rolling and that’s when the focus becomes even more concentrated. The two to three days here have helped the players to clear their heads. That makes me confident. We have the self-belief and we’ll take it seriously. The conditions are good. We have a great training pitch. The team are working together.
… the team quarters in Watutinki: The quarters are very good. Sure, it’s not Campo Bahia but we have to forget about that over time. We have everything we need here. We’ve had some good moments here already. It doesn’t always have to be about sun and sea.
