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Mario Gómez: "You will always need a classic striker"

2021-06-20T22:53:31.111Z


The former striker, top scorer for Germany in the Euro Cups, analyzes the figure of Löw and his former teammates


Mario Gómez, with the shirt of the German national team.

In 2009 he broke the German bench by becoming the most expensive signing in the Bundesliga, the 30 million that Bayern paid to Stuttgart. And, although he always figured in the lower categories of the

Mannschaft

, it was then that Mario Gómez (Riedlingen, Germany; 35 years old) was screwed in the leading edge of Joachim Löw. Classic center forward, one of those who find a place and a name in the rival area, hung up his boots three seasons ago. It would not have been bad for Germany in their debut against France, with a low shot (1-0).

Super Mario

, together with Jürgen Klinsmann, German top scorer in Eurocups with five goals each, attends EL PAÍS via email.

Question.

Now that you are no longer playing, do you miss being on a big date or enjoying the feeling of scoring?

Answer.

Neither one nor the other.

Throughout my career I have lived it all with great intensity and being very aware of what I was doing.

It was a wonderful time, a dream with its ups and downs.

But life is always like this;

a chapter closes, but a new one begins.

And I was really looking forward to this chapter, especially spending time with my family.

Now, I watch the games calmly with them and my friends.

They are very pleasant nights.

Q.

Have you left your

Super Mario

status behind

?

A.

An appellation like that is not something that you give yourself and then abandon, but it is put on you from outside.

Every now and then I still hear, "Hello,

Super Mario

!"

or "

Bullfighter

!"

So, I can't help but smile with pride.

P.

Maybe they remember you more because there are not so many strikers of your kind anymore, the kind who became great in the area and finished more than they participated in the game ...

With our tips, you don't have to worry about shots on target. "

R.

It is that the tips that are dedicated to heading the balls that reach them are already rare.

But football is subject to constant changes and it happens a bit like with clothes, that everything comes back at some point and becomes fashionable.

There was a time when I was asked similar questions, when the false

nine

was the no more.

But if we look at previous Euro Cup matches, we see, for example, that Lukaku, Weghorst and Yaremchuk were players who came very close to the idea of ​​the pure striker.

In short, I think that in football you will always need a classic striker.

P.

Well, in Germany, Werner and Volland, the tips, can be used as ends ...

A.

And let's not forget about Gnabry.

He is an absolute forward.

In Germany it has already been debated whether a classic striker is missing.

But sometimes it is easier.

When I see the assists of Gnabry, Werner and Volland in the last season with their clubs, I have to say that Germany have very good options for that position.

In addition, there are other very dangerous attackers for the opposing goalkeeper, such as Thomas Müller or Leroy Sane.

I don't think the national team has to worry about shots on target.

More information

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  • France beats Germany thanks to an own goal from Hummels

P.

Maybe Löw does have to worry, after losing to France.

Don't you think it is a danger for Germany that it is known that the coach will leave the team after the European Championship?

R.

I know almost everyone on the team and, of course, the coach.

I don't see the danger.

There are great guys on this team who want to get to the top.

I am convinced that it is not a disadvantage.

P. It

has been 15 years of Löw on the German bench ...

R.

My coach throughout my career.

Without him, Germany loses an excellent coach who has marked an era.

That is something that can only be achieved by constantly questioning and reinventing yourself, facing the reality of football and its evolution, as well as growing with it.

He is a great coach who has achieved many things, with incredible results in the great championships.

P.

Although you missed winning the European Championship with Germany ...

R.

But for little.

Even so, it must be said that in 2008, the Spanish were superior to us in the final of the Euro and they deservedly became champions.

Against Italy in 2012, and especially in 2016 against France, we were punished that we had several injured players, also some sanctioned.

And the difference was narrow.

At that level, the small details are really decisive.

P.

Those that led Germany to win the 2014 World Cup. Were you angry to miss it?

A.

I had a very helpful conversation with the national coach and I understood and accepted his decision.

I could have questioned it if I had recovered from my injury in time, but Löw only wanted players who were in top form.

It was totally understandable.

First of all, I was happy that they won the title, for the boys and also for Germany.

At the same time, I also realized how much you miss playing for your country.

When, later, I participated in the 2016 and 2018 championships, I appreciated it even more.

Without Löw, Germany loses an excellent coach who has marked an era "

Q.

Are Germany still favorites in this tournament?

R.

We will see.

P.

Who should lead the German team?

A.

This team has many leaders.

Like Neuer, Müller, Kroos, Hummels ... They are players who have lived through it and have won absolutely everything.

But it will depend primarily on men like Joshua Kimmich, who bring a whole new ambition to the team.

Kimmich is an exceptional figure at Bayern and in the national team;

His performances, along with his mindset and attitude, make him a player who can make a difference in every game.

Either directly through an action or by improving the performance of others.

Q.

Wouldn't you like to see Ter Stegen - you decided to have surgery on his right knee to get to the preseason with Barça - in a great tournament?

R.

Marc is an excellent goalkeeper and an absolute team player.

But unfortunately for him, Germany has Manuel Neuer in goal, one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in recent times.

And, like Ter Stegen, unsurpassed.

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Source: elparis

All sports articles on 2021-06-20

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