World Cup: Draw with Spain could be the spark we need, says Germany coach Flick
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AL KHOR, Qatar – Germany’s late equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday could turn out to be the spark they need to qualify for the World Cup’s knockout stage and turn things around in the tournament, said coach Hansi Flick.
Substitute Niclas Fullkrug, in only his third outing for Die Mannschaft, thundered in an 83rd-minute goal at the Al Bayt Stadium to cancel out Spain’s lead and earn the four-time world champions their first point from two Group E matches following their shock loss to Japan in the opener.
Fullkrug’s goal kept alive their hopes of advancing. A win against Costa Rica on Thursday, coupled with a Spanish victory over Japan, will seal the Germans’ ticket to the round of 16. But if Spain fail to beat Japan, then it will come down to goal difference.
“We knew what was at stake. Spain played good football but the teams were level and we had a huge chance in the end to win it, but these things happen,” Flick said. “Things come to you when you start winning. Maybe it is the spark we need.”
Germany took to Sunday’s game with plenty of huff and not inconsiderable puff. Much industry, though precious little art.
Having survived until half-time goalless, the inevitable began to loom when they fell behind to a 62nd-minute Alvaro Morata flick.
Many in the arena expected Spain to ease to the finish line as they stretched the Germans this way and that with incisive passing and tireless pressing.
But then Flick played his masterstroke.
Sweeping aside years of alternative and introspective German attacking strategies centred on an obsession with “false nines”, he threw on a real number nine, a target man in the most German of attacking moulds.
Enter Werder Bremen striker Fullkrug, 29.
“He showed his determination to score. He gives the team a lot...not only the goal. He has his heart in the right place,” Flick told reporters.
Thoroughly reinvigorated from the introduction of Fullkrug, Germany looked a different side.
Eight years of tinkering following the retirement of all-time World Cup scorer Miroslav Klose was instantly forgotten as Fullkrug led the line in the fashion of German World Cup greats Ottmar Walter, Gerd Muller, Jurgen Klinsmann and Klose.
Asking a 33-year-old Thomas Mueller to be the counter-attacking option had been a stretch, which ultimately allowed Spain considerable comfort and time in defence. But with the burly Fullkrug rampaging around the Spaniards’ back line, it was another matter altogether.
From the 70th minute, when he was thrown into the battle, Germany simply looked more German. They took more of a grip on the game. Became the bosses rather than the bullied. The last 20 minutes was a German performance as traditional as bratwurst and beer.
Never mind that Fullkrug had made his Germany debut only earlier this month in a friendly against Oman. With seven minutes left on the clock, he smashed home a loose ball to revitalise the Germans and give them a point they thoroughly deserved.
Leroy Sane missed a golden opportunity in the box minutes from the end but Flick said he was satisfied with his team’s performance and the fact that his side kept up with an “outstanding” Spain outfit showed they were “heading in the right direction”.
“The team fought hard and I am very satisfied with their mentality. These are the things we want and we know that we did take the first step,” said the 57-year-old German.
Fullkrug told German TV network ZDF: “We really wanted to pull (this game) back, that was very important for the feelings (in the camp). We still have room for improvement but we can hope that everything turns out well in the final game.”
Spain coach Luis Enrique felt that his young side lacked “finesse and freshness” but tried to remain positive.
“There was a strange feeling in the changing room because we had the opportunity to beat Germany and we let it slip through our hands and that was a shame,” Enrique said.
“But we have to think that we are at the top of the so-called ‘Group of Death’ and we have to stay positive. We have a say in our changing room, that pressure is a privilege. So we will deal with that naturally. If we want to play seven games (until the final), we need to give our best.” AFP, REUTERS
