Germany wary of Serbia threat
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2010, Friday
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AFTER producing the best performance in the first phase of World Cup group matches with its emphatic 4-0 win over Australia, Germany is being extra wary of Serbia.
"It's (Serbia's) last chance to stay in the tournament and we'll have to be very careful and concentrated," Germany assistant coach Hansi Flick said. "Australia was no measuring stick and Serbia is a very good team, with players in top clubs in Europe."
The Balkan team is coming off a mediocre performance, losing 0-1 to Ghana, while Germany was at its clinical best against Australia. Another loss will almost certainly end Serbia's chances of progressing.
Serbia coach Radomir Antic said his squad had lost some confidence, but was capable of rebounding against the Germans.
"We are facing the team that has shown the best football so far. I was impressed with their game," Antic said. "We know we have to rise to the occasion. That's the trademark of real champions."
Serbia's only claim to a win over Germany at the World Cup came when the country was part of Yugoslavia, which beat West Germany in the 1962 quarterfinals in Chile.
"This upcoming match is really a historic match for us," Antic said. "But Germany should also inspire us to regain the passion and joy in our game. We were too tight against Ghana, we failed mentally. All our players have to raise their level."
The teams were scheduled to have a training session yesterday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but FIFA told both the teams that heavy rain over the past two days had damaged the pitch too much for practice at the venue.
Germany has been working on ways to isolate tall Serbia striker Nikola Zigic and prevent him from distributing the ball to teammates. The 2.03-meter Zigic uses his height to head long balls into the path of his teammates.
Midfielder Sami Khedira said the German team had been closely scrutinizing this aspect of Serbia's game. "We will have to win those balls laid on by Zigic," he said.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has missed two of the those practice sessions because of a cold, but should be fit to play.
Flick said German players have been warned to guard against cold and told "to listen to their mothers' advice."
"It's (Serbia's) last chance to stay in the tournament and we'll have to be very careful and concentrated," Germany assistant coach Hansi Flick said. "Australia was no measuring stick and Serbia is a very good team, with players in top clubs in Europe."
The Balkan team is coming off a mediocre performance, losing 0-1 to Ghana, while Germany was at its clinical best against Australia. Another loss will almost certainly end Serbia's chances of progressing.
Serbia coach Radomir Antic said his squad had lost some confidence, but was capable of rebounding against the Germans.
"We are facing the team that has shown the best football so far. I was impressed with their game," Antic said. "We know we have to rise to the occasion. That's the trademark of real champions."
Serbia's only claim to a win over Germany at the World Cup came when the country was part of Yugoslavia, which beat West Germany in the 1962 quarterfinals in Chile.
"This upcoming match is really a historic match for us," Antic said. "But Germany should also inspire us to regain the passion and joy in our game. We were too tight against Ghana, we failed mentally. All our players have to raise their level."
The teams were scheduled to have a training session yesterday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but FIFA told both the teams that heavy rain over the past two days had damaged the pitch too much for practice at the venue.
Germany has been working on ways to isolate tall Serbia striker Nikola Zigic and prevent him from distributing the ball to teammates. The 2.03-meter Zigic uses his height to head long balls into the path of his teammates.
Midfielder Sami Khedira said the German team had been closely scrutinizing this aspect of Serbia's game. "We will have to win those balls laid on by Zigic," he said.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has missed two of the those practice sessions because of a cold, but should be fit to play.
Flick said German players have been warned to guard against cold and told "to listen to their mothers' advice."
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