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Joachim Low warns Germany of second-game syndrome against Ghana Joachim Löw warns Germany of second-game syndrome against Ghana
(about 17 hours later)
Joachim Löw has warned Germany they are not immune to the second-game syndrome that has afflicted Italy and Holland at this World Cup as he urged his team not to let standards slip against Ghana.Joachim Löw has warned Germany they are not immune to the second-game syndrome that has afflicted Italy and Holland at this World Cup as he urged his team not to let standards slip against Ghana.
Germany opened their World Cup campaign in commanding fashion against Portugal on Monday while Ghana suffered a costly late defeat to USA.Germany opened their World Cup campaign in commanding fashion against Portugal on Monday while Ghana suffered a costly late defeat to USA.
Having witnessed Italy and Holland make encouraging starts but then struggle in their second matches, Germany’s coach insists that qualification for the knock-out phase is not guaranteed.Having witnessed Italy and Holland make encouraging starts but then struggle in their second matches, Germany’s coach insists that qualification for the knock-out phase is not guaranteed.
He also believes Germany’s experiences of the 2010 World Cup and 2008 European Championship should keep his squad focused against Ghana. Löw’s teams won both opening matches at those tournaments only to lose their second and put themselves under pressure for the final game; both were overcome successfully.He also believes Germany’s experiences of the 2010 World Cup and 2008 European Championship should keep his squad focused against Ghana. Löw’s teams won both opening matches at those tournaments only to lose their second and put themselves under pressure for the final game; both were overcome successfully.
Before the match with Ghana, Löw said: “Even after winning the first match we have to be very careful and pay a lot of attention now because we saw what happened in 2008 and 2010. We won the first game and then went and lost the second. We have just seen it here Italy won their first game and then lost against Costa Rica and the Netherlands almost lost to Australia. Maybe it is psychological after the first win. One victory is not enough so our objective is to maintain focus and pay attention.”Before the match with Ghana, Löw said: “Even after winning the first match we have to be very careful and pay a lot of attention now because we saw what happened in 2008 and 2010. We won the first game and then went and lost the second. We have just seen it here Italy won their first game and then lost against Costa Rica and the Netherlands almost lost to Australia. Maybe it is psychological after the first win. One victory is not enough so our objective is to maintain focus and pay attention.”
Germany could be without Mats Hummels on Saturday after the central defender limped out of the 4-0 defeat of Portugal with a thigh injury. He has resumed light training but “he did not run 100%”, said Löw, who may switch Jérôme Boateng to centre-half and bring the former Everton reserve turned Sampdoria regular, Shkodran Mustafi, in at right-back.Germany could be without Mats Hummels on Saturday after the central defender limped out of the 4-0 defeat of Portugal with a thigh injury. He has resumed light training but “he did not run 100%”, said Löw, who may switch Jérôme Boateng to centre-half and bring the former Everton reserve turned Sampdoria regular, Shkodran Mustafi, in at right-back.
Kwesi Appiah’s team need to avoid defeat to have a realistic chance of qualifying from Group G and Schalke’s attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, brother of Jérôme, is expected to be recalled to the starting line-up in Fortaleza.Kwesi Appiah’s team need to avoid defeat to have a realistic chance of qualifying from Group G and Schalke’s attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, brother of Jérôme, is expected to be recalled to the starting line-up in Fortaleza.
“It will be a game Ghana will play like a final,” predicted Löw. “If they do not win they will probably not go on so they will fight to the end. They are strong, fit and they like to attack. Even in high temperatures they will run for 90 minutes and they have many well-known players who play for big clubs.“It will be a game Ghana will play like a final,” predicted Löw. “If they do not win they will probably not go on so they will fight to the end. They are strong, fit and they like to attack. Even in high temperatures they will run for 90 minutes and they have many well-known players who play for big clubs.
“We have to be stable and defend well and all players have to take on this role. We need to be one team on the pitch. We need to defend jointly and attack jointly as we did against Portugal.”“We have to be stable and defend well and all players have to take on this role. We need to be one team on the pitch. We need to defend jointly and attack jointly as we did against Portugal.”