Germany vs. Czech Republic
March 23, 2007
German captain Michael Ballack insisted on Friday his side are only thinking of victory over the Czech Republic in Prague on Saturday to make sure they stay top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group.
Germany top Group D ahead of the Czechs only by virtue of goal difference, and with both sides on ten points there is no margin for error in the race to guarantee qualification.
A win in Prague would put the Germans in the driving seat, but with Bundesliga top-scorer Mario Gomez of VfB Stuttgart out with a knee injury, Chelsea midfielder Ballack says his deputy -- Bayern Munich's Lukas Podolski -- is a more than adequate substitute.
"We have to take any injuries in our stride, a striker has dropped out, but the guys who will play can step in seamlessly. We respect our opponents, but we are just focused on getting the win," said the 30-year-old German captain.
Even without Gomez, the Germans have an abundance of talented strikers to choose from with 21-year-old Podolski, voted the best young player of the 2006 World Cup, boasting an impressive record of 22 goals in 37 internationals.
Strikers Poldi and Kuranyi confident of win
"We'll win because we have the better players," said the confident Podolski, who will partner Schalke 04's Kevin Kuranyi up front for the Germans.
"If we win, we will have a bit more breathing space," said national team manager Oliver Bierhoff, looking forward to the next two qualifying games against San Marino and Slovakia in June. "But if we lose, other teams behind us will be back in it," he warned.
Meanwhile midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said Germany aims to ruthlessly exploit any weakness in the Czech Republic's defense to stay top of the group. Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger wants to make sure of three qualifying points to give his side some breathing space.
"We have had a good look at the way they play and we know where their weaknesses are, we have to be ruthless against them," said the 22-year-old.
Löw places emphasis on attack
German coach Joachim Löw has told his side to attack the Czechs at every opportunity, but took time this week to organize his defense to cope with the towering threat of the hosts' striker Jan Koller.
At 6ft 8ins (2.03m), Koller is a defenders' nightmare in the air, even topping England's 6ft 7ins bean-pole Peter Crouch, but with 75 caps and 48 goals to his name, his German minders Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder will have their work cut out.
Metzelder played with Koller at Borussia Dortmund before the Czech switched to French side Monaco and will work in tandem with Mertesacker to keep Koller quiet. "With his height and power, Koller is a dangerous man, especially with his long legs and we'll have to control his airspace, particularly at corners," said Metzelder.
While keeper Jens Lehmann will be trying to keep Koller quiet, at the other end, Germany's strikers Podolski and Kuranyi will be doing their best to unnerve Czech keeper Petr Cech.
Cech fighting fit to face Germans
The 24-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper suffered a fractured skull in a Premiership match last October, but he is back to his best and sporting a protective rugby head guard.
"I have got over the most difficult moment of my life, now I enjoy playing even more," says Cech on the eve of his first international since the injury which so nearly killed him. "I am not afraid. I have got used to the helmet. It doesn't bother me; there isn't anything for me to worry about."
Cech will be tested by the German pair eager to impress coach Löw, who is defending his unbeaten record having won six games and drawn one since replacing Jürgen Klinsmann after last year's World Cup.
With the 2006 World Cup's top goal-scorer Miroslav Klose ruled out after struggling with a back injury, his able deputies are relishing the challenge.
"It's a blow to be without Miroslav Klose," said Bayern Munich's Podolski, "but we must be able to substitute for him and forge a partnership."
And after Germany lost the last encounter between the sides when they were beaten 2-1 at the Euro 2004 championships, the visitors have a point to prove.