Germany coach Joachim Loew has touted the credentials of his first-choice striker, Mario Gomez, following public criticism of the 26-year-old’s work ethic.
GERMANY COACH JOACHIM Loew has claimed that Bayern Munich star Mario Gomez is more than worthy of a starting place in Germany’s starting line-up to face the Netherlands in Kharkiv on Wednesday.
The 52-year-old was forced to answer questions on Gomez following criticism of the striker by former Bayern Munich midfielder Mehmet Scholl.
Though Scholl’s evaluation of Gomez’s movement and efficiency has drawn widespread support within the German media, Loew remains defiant.
“It really doesn’t bother me what somebody somewhere else thinks,” he told reporters. “As head coach, I may very often have a different view to the media, the public or a few fans.
“We judge the players on how they play regardless of what everyone else says. Perhaps such opinions might interest me now and again, but I have my own ideas on things and that is all that matters.”
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In addition to mounting a defence of Gomez, the coach used his pre-match press conference to underscore the importance of older players such as Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker to match preparation and squad morale.
“The hierarchy of the players hasn’t changed in any way,” he said. “Even players such as Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker had an unbelievably positive influence on the team in the first game. They were fully behind the team, and both have undoubted authority and respect within the group.”
“These players are extremely important for our younger players, the whole squad and for me as the coach, because I can ask them for their advice… we are talking about relationships that have been forged over a long period of time.”
Aware of the controversy surrounding his international selection and style of play, Gomez sounded relieved to have opened his goal-scoring account in Germany’s tournament cutrain-raiser against Portugal.
“The feeling when you win is better and more important than anything else,” he said. “I was really pleased with the goal though of course. Everyone knows that Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010 weren’t as good as they could have been for me.
“So I was really pleased to come good on the trust that the coach has showed in me by getting the winning goal in the opening game.”
Loew defends goal-scorer Gomez
GERMANY COACH JOACHIM Loew has claimed that Bayern Munich star Mario Gomez is more than worthy of a starting place in Germany’s starting line-up to face the Netherlands in Kharkiv on Wednesday.
The 52-year-old was forced to answer questions on Gomez following criticism of the striker by former Bayern Munich midfielder Mehmet Scholl.
Though Scholl’s evaluation of Gomez’s movement and efficiency has drawn widespread support within the German media, Loew remains defiant.
In addition to mounting a defence of Gomez, the coach used his pre-match press conference to underscore the importance of older players such as Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker to match preparation and squad morale.
“The hierarchy of the players hasn’t changed in any way,” he said. “Even players such as Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker had an unbelievably positive influence on the team in the first game. They were fully behind the team, and both have undoubted authority and respect within the group.”
Aware of the controversy surrounding his international selection and style of play, Gomez sounded relieved to have opened his goal-scoring account in Germany’s tournament cutrain-raiser against Portugal.
“The feeling when you win is better and more important than anything else,” he said. “I was really pleased with the goal though of course. Everyone knows that Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010 weren’t as good as they could have been for me.
“So I was really pleased to come good on the trust that the coach has showed in me by getting the winning goal in the opening game.”
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