Loew feels for Brazil Joachim Loew
Joachim Loew

Joachim Loew

RIO DE JANEIRO. — Germany coach Joachim Loew said he understood the shock and pain that Brazil were feeling on Tuesday after their 7-1 World Cup soccer semi-final defeat on home soil, recalling how the Germans felt in 2006 when they lost to Italy at the same stage. “We were shocked too and experienced the same thing in 2006,” Loew told German TV. “They were shocked and didn’t expect to fall behind. And after that it was an easy match for us.”

Loew, who was Juergen Klinsmann’s assistant coach in 2006 when they were beaten by Italy 2-0 in extra-time, said he thought the enormous pressure on the hosts could end up being a burden.

“We had great hopes in 2006 too and you can feel the pressure that the hosts have in a match like this,” Loew said.
“All 200 million people here want you to get to the final. That can cause your players to tighten up. I feel sorry for him (Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari). I think I know how he feels.”

Loew was pleased that his team saved their best effort in the World Cup for the Brazil match, a rout that wiped away memories of the tense 2-1 last-16 win over Algeria which triggered widespread criticism back home.

“Five goals in 18 minutes – it’s clear that they were shocked and didn’t know what to do,” he said.
“Everyone did their job today with a lot of concentration. But this has to continue. We need to stay humble. We don’t want to over-rate this. We have to stay concentrated until Sunday.”

Loew said he had no preference on playing Argentina or the Netherlands in the final.
“We’re obviously going to celebrate a bit tonight but we have to start focusing right away tomorrow on the next match,” he said.
“But I’m not worried about that. The players all have their feet firmly on the ground and they won’t let this (win) go to their heads.”

Toni Kroos, who scored two goals, was named the man of the match and the midfielder’s strongest performance in the World Cup epitomised Germany’s improved game.

“We played a great match,” he said. “We over-ran them a bit at the start and noticed they were feeling a bit uncertain.
“We started getting a goal every five minutes and put the match away quickly. It was an unbelievable match. We beat Brazil in their own country. That’s impressive by itself. But we’re not at our goal yet. We want to win on Sunday.”

Captain Philipp Lahm said his team were just pleased to make it through the semifinal after getting knocked out at that stage in 2006 and 2010.
“We’re full of joy that we made it through to the final,” he said. “We made it to the semifinals the last two times and our big goal was to get to the final. We’re already looking forward to the final.”

Lahm acknowledged Germany had not played as well in earlier matches at the World Cup.
“It’s a long tournament with a lot of matches. Not all seven matches could be at the top level. We had to improve throughout the tournament and that’s the goal – to win the World Cup.”

Germany defender Mats Hummels said the celebrations in the dressing-room after the match were relatively subdued because it had been decided before half-time.

“We were astonished by what happened on the pitch,” said Hummels. “We should just savour this moment and enjoy it. It’s something special what we’ve accomplished. We’re going to do everything to fulfil the big dream we still have.”

Meanwhile, Loew said his team’s clinical response to Brazilian emotion laid the foundation of their stunning 7-1 victory.
Brazil had gone into the match amid a mood of feverish national expectation and strident rallying cries to win for injured striker Neymar.

A hair-raising rendition of the Brazilian national anthem saw skipper David Luiz holding Neymar’s No. 10 shirt aloft in a gesture of support.
But Germany met the raw emotion head on and when the opportunities arose, they struck.

“It was important to meet this passion and these emotions with calm, courage and with our own strength,” said Loew whose side will now meet Argentina or the Netherlands in Sunday’s final in Rio de Janeiro.

The game was won in an extraordinary burst which saw Germany rattle in four goals in six minutes midway through the first half. Loew said Germany had exploited the chaos in the Brazilian defence mercilessly.

“They were shocked by our goals and it made the game easier for us.
“Everyone did their jobs incredibly well and with total concentration.
“We played well going forward and combined superbly.”

But Loew said the Germans must stay humble despite inflicting a record international defeat on the hosts.
“A bit of humility would also be very good and we need to be careful that we stay focused on Sunday,” said the 54-year-old.
“I knew before the game that if we were courageous, we could win, but no one imagined it would be 7-1.

“After we went 2-0 up, they were disorganised and we took advantage. “There’s no euphoria in the dressing room, we are very happy, but we are not getting carried away.

“After half-time they showed a reaction to try and please their fans in the stadium, but we still controlled the match.”
Loew said Germany fans should not expect the same sort of massive result in the Maracana final.

“Nobody should feel invincible. That is perfectly clear and both Argentina and Holland have played a great World Cup so far,” insisted Loew.
“Argentina have a very strong defence and (Lionel) Messi, (Gonzalo) Higuain and the others are a fantastic attack.

“(Netherland’s Robin) Van Persie, (Arjen) Robben, (Wesley) Sneijder are players that at any moment can decide the match. The final won’t be the same as today.”

The Germany boss also said he had sympathy for Brazil coach Felipe Scolari and the Selecao having also tasted semifinal defeat as the hosts of the 2006 World Cup.

Loew was assistant coach when Germany suffered a 2-0 extra-time defeat to Italy in their semifinal on home soil eight years ago. “I remember losing against Italy to a goal in the 119th minute so we know how Scolari, the players and the Brazilian people feel,” said Loew.

“I remember 2006 in our own country, how much we wanted to make the final and that’s an enormous disappointment for any county. “I believe this defeat will be difficult to digest for Brazil. “Until today, Brazil have had a great World Cup, especially as hosts. “Their passion for football and their people have been great, but, of course, it will be a difficult defeat to accept.”— AFP.

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