GERMANY MIDFIELDER JULIAN Draxler says he’s not concerned about any empty seats for tomorrow’s clash with Ireland.
Around 4,000 tickets are still available although the German FA are confident that the Veltins-Arena will be close to capacity come kick-off.
The Gelsenkirchen stadium, home of Draxler’s club Schalke 04, has an official limit of just under 54,000 seats for international games.
Draxler joked: “Maybe it’s more interesting for people to watch the new training sessions under [Schalke coach] Roberto di Matteo.”
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“Joking apart, we as players have very little influence on how many tickets are sold so we’re happy if the stadium is full.
If it isn’t, we’ll play better to attract more people.
Germany have lost twice since clinching the World Cup in Brazil, and coach Jogi Löw remarked that “We used to be the hunters, now we’re the prey.”
Their shock 2-0 defeat to Poland on Saturday rocked Group D but Draxler insisted there is no crisis in the camp.
“I think the team’s self-confidence is still there, it’s still big. After all, we’re the reigning world champions.
We want to show the world and we would like to reach the unbeatable status as quickly as possible.
Löw indicated that pacy winger Karim Bellarabi will remain in the team to face Ireland. The 24-year-old made his debut against Poland, playing 90 minutes, but couldn’t convert any of his many chances.
“I think he did a fantastic job,” Draxler said.
“His debut for the national team was as good as can be, a brilliant performance, and he deserves his place in this team.
“If he hits the goal as many times as he did against Poland, maybe one of them goes in.”
Germany v Ireland is not sold out - 'Maybe it's more interesting to watch di Matteo's training'
GERMANY MIDFIELDER JULIAN Draxler says he’s not concerned about any empty seats for tomorrow’s clash with Ireland.
Around 4,000 tickets are still available although the German FA are confident that the Veltins-Arena will be close to capacity come kick-off.
The Gelsenkirchen stadium, home of Draxler’s club Schalke 04, has an official limit of just under 54,000 seats for international games.
Draxler joked: “Maybe it’s more interesting for people to watch the new training sessions under [Schalke coach] Roberto di Matteo.”
“Joking apart, we as players have very little influence on how many tickets are sold so we’re happy if the stadium is full.
Germany have lost twice since clinching the World Cup in Brazil, and coach Jogi Löw remarked that “We used to be the hunters, now we’re the prey.”
Their shock 2-0 defeat to Poland on Saturday rocked Group D but Draxler insisted there is no crisis in the camp.
“I think the team’s self-confidence is still there, it’s still big. After all, we’re the reigning world champions.
Löw indicated that pacy winger Karim Bellarabi will remain in the team to face Ireland. The 24-year-old made his debut against Poland, playing 90 minutes, but couldn’t convert any of his many chances.
“I think he did a fantastic job,” Draxler said.
“His debut for the national team was as good as can be, a brilliant performance, and he deserves his place in this team.
“If he hits the goal as many times as he did against Poland, maybe one of them goes in.”
‘We used to be the hunters, now we’re the prey’ – Germany boss Löw
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