Captain Manuel Neuer emphasized the “extremely high importance” for him of the German national team’s World Cup opening game against Japan.
Captain Manuel Neuer emphasized the “extremely high importance” for him of the German national team’s World Cup opening game against Japan.
“You get self-confidence with a good start to the tournament, you already have a small buffer with three points and you can go into the next games with a good chest. For me, the opening game is really the most important game in the whole tournament,” said Neuer to the “kicker” in an interview.
The DFB selection will play against Japan at the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday (2 p.m. / ARD and MagentaTV). The defeat at the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Mexico taught us the enormous importance of the opening game and should not underestimate any team, said Neuer. Four years ago, for the first time in the history of the World Cup, it was already over for Germany in the group phase.
Against Japan it will be important “that we are defensively stable,” said Neuer. “The Japanese are a straightforward team, they play without frills and are quick to switch gears. We have to be careful about that,” warned the 36-year-old.
Source: Stern
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