Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COLD TURKEY!
Low: Ozil and Gundogan face fans’ backlash over photo
JOACHIM LOW has warned Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan to expect a rough ride from fans on Sunday.
The pair are in hot water with supporters over their controversial meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Low said: “My job now is to bring both players to top form, so that they are well prepared.
“They will probably be accompanied by some whistles ( from fans) on Sunday.”
Germany open their Group F campaign against Mexico, but legendary midfielder Stefan Effenberg has insisted both Ozil and Gundogan should have been axed from the squad.
The ex-bayern Munich star said: “When you put everything on your values, like those the DFB (German FA) always transmit, the only decision is to get rid of the two players.”
Erdogan has been heavily criticised for alleged human rights violations and jailing journalists.
Arsenal’s Ozil and Manchester City’s Gundogan – both of Turkish descent – met with him in London last month but a row over pictures of the meeting rumbles on.
Gundogan was whistled by a section of Germany’s fans ahead of last week’s friendly win over Saudi Arabia. Ozil did not play.
Low said: “OK, it is what it is. I cannot influence the whistles. I would have liked it differently, but my job is to get them into the flow and help our team.”
Low admitted Gundogan had been affected by the barracking. He added: “He was a bit dejected after the game and we had to build him up a bit. This three-day break before arriving in Russia was good for him.
“Maybe both can now turn the switch and focus on what is important for us. We will succeed in having them in the form we want them in.”