Germany coach Joachim low has accepted his players were “disorganized” after Germany’s Group F defeat against Mexico in Moscow. Low, whose side now face Sweden on Saturday, was naturally gloomier, denied he had underestimated Mexico and insisted his players are in good physical shape.
“It’s very disappointing and very unusual,” he said. “In so many tournaments before we won the first game. But we have to deal with the defeat. In the next match we have to be much better . The next game is vital for us, we have to win it.” Low said of a team who had lost their opening game at a World Cup for the first time since 1982.
The contrast with the Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio who was profound after what must rank as one of the country’s finest victories. “We try to give joy. And this was a supremely entertaining show of counter-attacking football, deliriously received by a strong Mexican support. For Osorio victory was more a matter of planning than adrenaline, as he spoke openly about his long-standing intention to play on German weak points. “We had plans six months ago to have two quick players on the wings. We chose Hirving Lozano, the game’s only goalscorer, our quickest player, and Miguel Layún, an offensive midfield player.”