Low looking forward to England clash
Wagering requirements and T&C’s Apply | Commercial content | New Customers Only | Wagering and Terms and conditions apply | 18+ | Play Responsibly
Germany head coach Joachim Low is looking forward to his side’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash with England, although he acknowledges they will have to improve on their group stage performances if they are to progress any further.
Die Mannschaft rather limped into the knockout stages of the Euros, as they were just six minutes away from being eliminated from the competition before Leon Goretzka’s late strike salvaged a 2-2 draw from their final Group F match against Hungary in Munich on Wednesday.
That point was enough to see Germany go through as runners up in their group behind France and their reward for reaching the last 16 will be a renewal of their rivalry with England at Wembley on Tuesday.
Low, whose 15 years in charge of Germany will come to an end following the conclusion of this summer’s tournament, is certainly looking forward to a showdown with the Three Lions and he has shrugged off concerns surrounding his side’s form heading into the contest.
“I’m not worried, it’s a totally different match,” Low told reporters. “Hungary parked the bus, with everyone behind the ball, entered every duel, against England it will be a totally different match.
“They are playing at home, they want to attack, it’s going to be an open match, more open than it was tonight.”
England are yet to concede a goal at Euro 2020 and are unbeaten in their last nine internationals, winning eight of those games, a run that has led Low to acknowledge that Germany will have to up their game if they are to advance through to the quarter finals.
“We need to improve on things, we are aware of that, and need to take care and be careful, especially at set-pieces,” he added.
“We cannot repeat the same mistakes again. We need to do things better here, but ahead of the match against England, we’re looking forward to it.
Germany certainly have reason to be confident, as they have only lost one of their last five meetings with England, while they claimed a 4-1 success when the two nations last met at a major international tournament during the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup.
The three-time European champions have also shown glimpses of their best form in recent weeks, as they thrashed Latvia 7-1 in a pre-tournament friendly before putting four past Portugal during their only victory of the group stage.
Low feels his side must replicate the performance they produced against Portugal on a more regular basis if they are to go far in the competition, otherwise, they could be facing another early exit following their group stage failings at the 2018 World Cup.
“It’s great news to play in London at Wembley against England,” the 61-year-old continued. “The group stage is over and now we have to focus. It’s in or out now.
“Our performance so far hasn’t been too good, but if we show what we can, as we did against Portugal for long spells, we can be a strong opponent, and if we don’t do that we can get into difficulties.”
