Tournament director Philipp Lahm sees a bit of work for the German team before the European Championships at home. The 2014 world champion stresses the importance of the opening game.
Tournament director Philipp Lahm believes the German national team is well on its way to the European Championships at home, one week before the opening match. However, there is still work to be done for the DFB team coached by Julian Nagelsmann. “I think they can still make good use of the week,” the 2014 World Cup captain told the dpa. The German team will play their last test match before the tournament this evening (8.45 p.m./RTL) in Mönchengladbach against Greece.
Lahm referred to the quartet with the Champions League winners Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger from Real Madrid and the final losers Nico Schlotterbeck and Niclas Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund. “Some players were in the Champions League final, but only joined later,” said the 40-year-old. “They will make good use of the last week to make a positive start to the opening game against Scotland. A good start would be very important for the tournament.”
Lahm said with a laugh that he “doesn’t care at all” who scores the German goals against the Scots on June 14 in Munich: “The main thing is that someone scores a goal.” In the penultimate test match, a 0:0 draw against Ukraine, the DFB team failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities.
Lahm wants a “clear victory” at the start
A good start is extremely important for the team, said Lahm, referring to the opening disappointments at the 2018 World Cup (0-1 against Mexico), the 2022 World Cup (1-2 against Japan) and the 2021 European Championship (0-1 against France). “We saw it in the last tournaments, if you don’t start well, you immediately come under pressure and then it’s difficult,” said Lahm. “That’s why I just want a clear victory that sparks enthusiasm in our country.” Lahm scored the first German goal at the 2006 World Cup at home.
DFB Vice President Celia Sasic scored in Germany’s first match at the 2011 Women’s World Cup at home (2:1 against Canada). The first match was a “marker for the tournament,” she said. “It makes everything so much easier when you start the tournament with a positive feeling and a win.”
Source: Stern
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