HAPPY WITH DEFENCE
The German national team manager Joachim Loew has said that he is extremely happy with the defensive performance of the team in the 0-0 draw with Netherlands. Germany were coming into the match on the back of 4-4 draw with Sweden, which has increased the criticism of the manager. Germany were cruising comfortably for a physical in the match before they allow Sweden to score four goals in the 30 minutes. As a result of this poor defensive performance, the manager decided to bring in changes to the first team. He also had to make changes as a result of injuries and suspensions to a number of first-team players.
He played without a striker in this match, which increased the defensive performance of the team, but blunted their attack. However, Joachim Loew has said that he is pleased with the outcome of the match. He has praised the discipline and the work done by the defence in order to keep a clean sheet following the Sweden match. Loew also has expressed his surprise at the way Netherlands played, as the opposition were also extremely cautious in order to not concede goals. Netherlands were coming on the back of a poor Euro 2012 showing and the new manager Louis van Gaal has already made substantial changes.
“We had this opportunity to play a strong team and it was a very meaningful game, and it was positive. We showed good discipline and good defensive work, which after our recent games, especially Sweden, was most important. I was a bit surprised by the way they played – maybe they were a bit scared of us countering them so they sat deep and you don’t usually expect that from Holland,” said Loew after the match. Germany’s next match will be in a friendly against France in February.