A crunch game in the European Championship qualifiers, and the fight for first place. On Friday evening (20:45 CEST) the Germany national team will play Group D leaders Poland. In the previous game between the two teams, Germany lost 2-0 in Warsaw, making a win in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena even more important. A victory would see Joachim Löw’s side take a big step towards automatic qualification for the 2016 tournament in France, as they would secure their place at the top of the table. DFB general manager Oliver Bierhoff and World Cup winners Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos spoke at the pre-game press conference.
Thomas Müller on…
...the opposition Poland: We’re back, and we start with the hardest game. We have a score to settle against Poland. It certainly could have been a less interesting start. The grass will be quicker compared to in Warsaw and Poland will be up for it, they’ve got a lot of players from the Bundesliga. The standard will be high but we will give our all to make use of our home advantage.
...extra motivation against Poland: We’ll start at 20% and then see what happens (laughs). No seriously, it’s an important match, and we'll need to give 100%, with plenty of energy. We need to push ourselves to the limit.
...penalty pecking order: There isn’t a penalty in every game. Bastian Schweinsteiger said after missing his last penalty that "it’s time for Müller to have a go again". I will put myself forward, and the rest is up to the coach.
...Bayern team mate Robert Lewandowski: Poland don’t base their system purely around Lewandowski. Building your play around him is not necessary, the Polish are strong on the counter, which we will have to pay attention to. They are first, we are second – it’s an evenly-matched encounter. We want first place, it won’t be easy.
…potential involvement in the Olympic games: I haven’t thought about that at all. I’m not sure whether my club would be that pleased. We will see, but I’m not putting myself forward at the moment.
... the reason for Bayern’s strong start to the season: We’ve started very well, and I’ve scored a few goals. I make sure I’m fully prepared for every training session and match, and am in good hands at the club with the medical team. The rest requires a bit of luck and a bit of judgment.
Toni Kroos on...
...European Championship qualification: Thomas has already covered everything. We have missed out on a couple of points and so are under a bit of pressure. But I’m totally convinced by the quality of this team.
...his potential involvement in the Olympic games: It’s not a priority for me at the moment. I would happily let someone else take my place (laughs).
...penalty takers: Thomas can take them. I’m better from outside the penalty box anyway (laughs).
Oliver Bierhoff on...
...the situation before the Poland match: In terms of the football, everything has been said. Autumn has begun, we want to correct the situation and go to the top of the table. It’s a good opportunity for the team to show what we’re capable of under a bit of pressure. I am pleased that everyone here is fit.
...the opposition Poland: It’s a very important match. Poland have a lot of strengths so it will be a highly interesting game from a footballing perspective. We have to be prepared for a strong opposition.
...predictions for the game in Frankfurt: The quality and attitude of the players fills me with confidence. Whenever it gets tough, we always up our game and perform. We have a high-quality squad, and we will show that in the match.
...the small number of Bayern players: The numbers speak for themselves. It’s visible in the starting XI of Bayern too, as there are less and less Germany internationals. We are profiting from players abroad, who, like Toni Kroos, have played at Bayern at some point in their career. I don’t see it as a problem, and it certainly doesn’t mean that Bayern are any weaker.
...Mesut Özil's declaration that he could see himself playing at the Olympics: I don’t know whether he was being serious or whether his team would allow it. Our priority of course is the European Championship. In terms of the Olympics, it’s in our interest that Horst Hrubesch has a strong U21 side.
created by mmc/wh
A crunch game in the European Championship qualifiers, and the fight for first place. On Friday evening (20:45 CEST) the Germany national team will play Group D leaders Poland. In the previous game between the two teams, Germany lost 2-0 in Warsaw, making a win in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena even more important. A victory would see Joachim Löw’s side take a big step towards automatic qualification for the 2016 tournament in France, as they would secure their place at the top of the table. DFB general manager Oliver Bierhoff and World Cup winners Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos spoke at the pre-game press conference.
Thomas Müller on…
...the opposition Poland: We’re back, and we start with the hardest game. We have a score to settle against Poland. It certainly could have been a less interesting start. The grass will be quicker compared to in Warsaw and Poland will be up for it, they’ve got a lot of players from the Bundesliga. The standard will be high but we will give our all to make use of our home advantage.
...extra motivation against Poland: We’ll start at 20% and then see what happens (laughs). No seriously, it’s an important match, and we'll need to give 100%, with plenty of energy. We need to push ourselves to the limit.
...penalty pecking order: There isn’t a penalty in every game. Bastian Schweinsteiger said after missing his last penalty that "it’s time for Müller to have a go again". I will put myself forward, and the rest is up to the coach.
...Bayern team mate Robert Lewandowski: Poland don’t base their system purely around Lewandowski. Building your play around him is not necessary, the Polish are strong on the counter, which we will have to pay attention to. They are first, we are second – it’s an evenly-matched encounter. We want first place, it won’t be easy.
…potential involvement in the Olympic games: I haven’t thought about that at all. I’m not sure whether my club would be that pleased. We will see, but I’m not putting myself forward at the moment.
... the reason for Bayern’s strong start to the season: We’ve started very well, and I’ve scored a few goals. I make sure I’m fully prepared for every training session and match, and am in good hands at the club with the medical team. The rest requires a bit of luck and a bit of judgment.
Toni Kroos on...
...European Championship qualification: Thomas has already covered everything. We have missed out on a couple of points and so are under a bit of pressure. But I’m totally convinced by the quality of this team.
...his potential involvement in the Olympic games: It’s not a priority for me at the moment. I would happily let someone else take my place (laughs).
...penalty takers: Thomas can take them. I’m better from outside the penalty box anyway (laughs).
Oliver Bierhoff on...
...the situation before the Poland match: In terms of the football, everything has been said. Autumn has begun, we want to correct the situation and go to the top of the table. It’s a good opportunity for the team to show what we’re capable of under a bit of pressure. I am pleased that everyone here is fit.
...the opposition Poland: It’s a very important match. Poland have a lot of strengths so it will be a highly interesting game from a footballing perspective. We have to be prepared for a strong opposition.
...predictions for the game in Frankfurt: The quality and attitude of the players fills me with confidence. Whenever it gets tough, we always up our game and perform. We have a high-quality squad, and we will show that in the match.
...the small number of Bayern players: The numbers speak for themselves. It’s visible in the starting XI of Bayern too, as there are less and less Germany internationals. We are profiting from players abroad, who, like Toni Kroos, have played at Bayern at some point in their career. I don’t see it as a problem, and it certainly doesn’t mean that Bayern are any weaker.
...Mesut Özil's declaration that he could see himself playing at the Olympics: I don’t know whether he was being serious or whether his team would allow it. Our priority of course is the European Championship. In terms of the Olympics, it’s in our interest that Horst Hrubesch has a strong U21 side.
