German pundits call for Fullkrug to start, Sane expected to be fit
Goalkeeper Neuer relieved Germany ‘still alive’
SUBSTITUTE Niclas Fullkrug’s equalizer in the 1-1 draw with Spain means he should start the World Cup Group E decider against Costa Rica, former Germany players have said.
The Werder Bremen striker only made his debut in a World Cup warm-up against Oman and also scored. Germany have lacked a number nine since Miroslav Klose’s retirement and Timo Werner was ruled out of Qatar through injury.
“He just pulls the trigger in the way he does for Bremen. He’s put in a really good job application for the next game,” 2014 World Cup winner Per Mertesacker told ZDF.
Germany need to beat Costa Rica on Thursday and hope Japan lose to Spain to reach the last 16. If Japan draw and Germany win, goal difference comes into play.
Füllkrug, 29, has 10 goals in the Bundesliga this season and is the top German scorer.
This time last year he was playing in the second division.
“He has the momentum, hats off to him,” said Michael Ballack. “The guys who are in form in the league should get their chance. Why not throw him in at the deep end?”
Former Germany player Tabea Kemme told Magenta TV: “I would have put him in the starting 11 in the first game. He always proves his attacking spirit and he has shown that it is right that he is there.”
Press reaction from Germany included a front page headline from the tabloid Bild which read: “Hooray, we are still alive.” Britain’s the Times made a nod to Füllkrug’s appearance.
“Gap-toothed assassin Niclas Füllkrug gets Germany out of gaping hole at Qatar 2022,” it said.
Germany assistant coach Danny Röhl would not confirm anything about Füllkrug and Costa Rica but told reporters on Monday: “Fülle is a team leader. He gets forward. He is good for the team.”
Leroy Sané, who missed the 2-1 defeat to Japan due to knee problems, offered spark when coming off the bench against Spain.
MANUEL Neuer expressed relief that Germany are “still alive” in the World Cup after they salvaged a 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday.
Germany’s hopes of reaching the round of 16 suffered a shock blow when they lost their first match against Japan.
Yet Costa Rica responded to a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain by beating Japan 1-0 to leave all to play for in Group E’s final games.
Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead in the battle between the Group E heavyweights at Al Bayt Stadium, but Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench to equalise and secure his team’s first point.
In order to progress, Hansi Flick’s Germany side must beat Costa Rica in their last group match on Thursday and hope Spain do them a favour against Japan.
Goalkeeper Neuer, who denied Dani Olmo an early goal when he palmed his shot against the crossbar, is just pleased Germany still have a chance of avoiding a second successive World Cup exit at the group stage.
“It was a tough match against a very good Spain side,” said the Germany captain. “We took on the fight and didn’t allow them many chances over the 90 minutes.
“Our defensive work was superb from front to back. Our compactness made it difficult for them to score a goal against us. Their goal was simply quality and very hard to defend against. Nevertheless, we continued to believe in ourselves.
“The main thing is that we’re still alive. The thing we can have influence over is getting three points against Costa Rica.”
The 29-year-old Werder Bremen striker said: “We were determined to get a result from the game, and it was very important for our confidence.
“We still have room for improvement. We don’t need to get carried away, but we can go into the final game with hope that we
can make it through.”
He has the momentum, hats off to him. The guys who are in form in the league should get their chance. Why not throw him in at the deep end?.
Michael Ballack