AMSTERDAM • Under-fire Joachim Low took the high road after Germany's last-gasp 3-2 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday, claiming he "did not see the win as an act of vindication".
The coach has been under immense pressure after the national team's annus horribilis, which saw them suffer their worst run of form in history.
Die Mannschaft signed off on the lowest possible note last year with a record six defeats, including their failure to progress to the second phase of a World Cup for the first time since 1938 and relegation from the Nations League.
Low's critics in the German media had been sharpening their knives before their opening Euro 2020 qualifier in Amsterdam, slamming his decision to ditch 2014 World Cup-winning stalwarts Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller as a "high-stakes gamble".
However, their tone was far more conciliatory after the unexpected win - the team's first on Dutch soil since 1996.
Hailing Low's first competitive victory of the year as "a victory for the coach", German magazine Kicker felt he had "managed to unite this young team behind him".
German daily Bild went one further, declaring he "had delivered in the first truly important game since the World Cup and showed up everyone who said he is no longer the right man for the job".
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
Today, we had the gambling luck that we lacked in the past games.
JOACHIM LOW, Germany coach, after his side beat the Netherlands 3-2 on Sunday with a Nico Schulz goal in added time.
But while the praise marked a decisive change in tone from the unrelenting criticism since Germany's humiliating exit in Russia, Low played down the idea that he had stuck it to his critics.
The 59-year-old said post-game: "When my team play as well as they did, then I am positive, regardless of what is going on off the field."
Telling German TV channel RTL that his players "had not lost the faith", he added: "The first half was great, we had the game under complete control.
"The goal in the second half came at a very bad time. It is a process that our young team have to go through with.
"Today, we had the gambling luck that we lacked in the past games."
Wingers Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry put the away side ahead in the Group C encounter, before Ronald Koeman's men hit back after the break through defender Matthijs de Ligt and forward Memphis Depay.
However, forward Marco Reus came off the bench late on to set up defender Nico Schulz's added-time strike as Germany avenged a 3-0 Nations League thrashing in the same stadium last October.
Declaring the team "will get a lot of confidence", the match-winner said: "That feels very good. The victory is very good for us."
While German football still has much work to do to get back to the summit - there are no Bundesliga clubs in the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2006 - Low can at least take a breather until the next round of qualifiers against Belarus and Estonia in June.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, DPA, XINHUA
Stubborn Sarri unruffled as Blues flop again. Midfielder Ander Herrera heading past Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to score Manchester United's opening goal in their 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round
Hudson-Odoi finally stretches his legs as glum Sarri takes
Real Madrid's forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring during the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and SD Huesca at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on March 31, 2019.
Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner
Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat who was given a rousing reception from supporters in what was believed to be his last game for the club. BALE LEFT ON BENCH Keylor played
La Liga: Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat
Football: Jurgen Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic
* Man City beat Liverpool 2-1, cut lead to four points Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four season on Juergen Klopp's side and cutting their lead at the top to four
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four
Real Madrid coach praises Bale, calls for patience with Isco - Madrid, Nov 10 : Real Madrids interim coach, Santiago Solari, on Saturday praised Welsh forward Gareth Bale while calling for
Real Madrid coach praises Bale, calls for patience with Isco
Weary feet to blame for England's fall. England's Kyle Walker scoring an own goal during extra time while under pressure from Dutch striker Quincy Promes during their Nations League semi-final
Boy, 6, reportedly in critical condition after falling 15
LONDON (AP) — Manchester United moved into the Premier League's top four by beating Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Paul Pogba scoring two more goals to continue his resurgence
Arsenal Move into Top 4 with Win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
More than 52,000 teachers and principals went on strike yesterday across New Zealand. It was one of the country's biggest-ever strikes. In fact, the one-day walkout was an historic event
Welcome to Strikes For Kids - Home
Stubborn Sarri unruffled as Blues flop again, Football News
0 comments:
Post a Comment