TAH: GERMANY PLAYERS READY TO ‘WALK THROUGH FIRE’ FOR KLOPP
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Germany defender Jonathan Tah has praised Jurgen Klopp’s immediate influence on the national team, saying the squad felt ready to “walk through fire” for the new coach after his first team meeting.
Klopp took charge of Germany in July following their last-32 exit from the World Cup, marking the nation’s third consecutive early elimination from the tournament.
The 59-year-old held his first training session with the squad on Monday before overseeing a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League clash with Greece in Augsburg, Bayern Munich defender Tah said Klopp had already demonstrated some of the qualities that made him successful during his time at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.
Tah highlighted Klopp’s experience, passion, winning mentality and ability to motivate players.
He said the squad left their first meeting with the coach feeling united and ready to give everything for him, adding that Klopp had a special ability to galvanise a team.
Germany showed plenty of energy during Klopp’s first match in charge but struggled at times against the Netherlands, who made an aggressive start under new coach Xavi Hernandez.
Klopp acknowledged that Germany produced some strong defensive spells when the team worked together but admitted that old habits resurfaced at certain moments.
Sunday’s fixture against Greece will also mark the first time in 25 years that Germany’s national team will play at home in front of supporters in standing terraces following a change in UEFA regulations.
Germany has a long-standing standing-terrace culture at club level and is among 10 national associations participating in a UEFA project aimed at reintroducing the practice.
Klopp said the atmosphere inside stadiums could have a significant effect on players’ performances, describing the impact of a strong standing crowd as considerable.
Injuries to Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala have also forced Klopp to bring Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz into the squad earlier than initially planned.
Klopp said the priority was to help Wirtz settle into the team and become comfortable in the role expected of him.
Tah also defended Wirtz amid criticism of his recent performances, saying he believed the midfielder would rediscover his best form.
The Germany defender said he knew Wirtz’s quality and expected him to shine even more, insisting that his abilities would eventually become clear to everyone.
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