Germany cannot fail.
Against Portugal the imperative is to win.
After the knockout in the debut match against France, Joachim Loew's selection is called for redemption against Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates.
In the game of the crossings for the qualification to the second round the Germans are obliged to win against the Lusitanians.
In fact, a defeat would mean elimination while Portugal, after a 3-0 win against Hungary, travels in full sail towards the round of 16.
On the eve of the match against Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, coach Joachim Loew announces "tactical changes" for his team: "Tactically we have to bring something else into the game, which means more offensive power". The defeat against France at the debut inevitably put the German national team under pressure but the coach is not too worried about this: "The pressure is unchanged - his words - The results are important. Everyone can handle the pressure. I've known for 15 years. The pressure won't overwhelm us. "
The German coach is well aware of the value of the Lusitanians: "Portugal is not just Cristiano Ronaldo", he underlined. "We are determined - he added - Everyone knows that we have to do things in the best possible way.We need more dynamism and precision in the offensive phase ".
The precedents between Germany and Portugal in the latest matches are in favor of the Germans. Crucial for Portugal coach Fernando Santos will be ball possession. "For us ball possession is fundamental. Otherwise, things get complicated. We will have to force our opponents to play as far as possible from our goal", the words of the coach of the luisitani.
"Germany are very strong but they will face a great team. I am not afraid of the German national team but we are not favorites - added Santos - At the moment I think that there is no team in Europe or in the world that thinks it will be easy to beat Portugal. . From there to saying that Portugal is much superior to Germany, no ... They are a fantastic team individually and collectively. An overbearing team that likes to have the ball, like a steamroller. "
"We have to improve what we have done against Hungary - added the Portuguese coach - For us it is a very important match and we will face it with the aim of winning". The Portuguese coach then exalts his team, focusing on the collective and not just on CR7: "Portugal is proud of this team that is not just Cristiano Ronaldo. I have to motivate them all, even those who are on the bench. Cristiano cannot win games. on his own ".", he added. Nuno Mendes will not be in the game (while Germany will have to give up the injured Hofmann and Klostermann). The left-back of Sporting "had a little problem," said the coach.
"We are fully aware that, despite having started very well, we must remain with our feet on the ground - the words of the Portuguese defender Ruben Dias - We will have to be stronger to win the next match. It is a new context, a new opponent and new difficulties," but we will be ready ". Among the favorites to win Euro 2020, Dias also includes Loew's team. "" We are talking about France and Portugal as candidates for victory - the defender's words - but for me in this list there is also Germany ".
