With their World Cup winners absent in Russia, Germany’s rising stars are relishing their chance to shine at the Confederations Cup.
None of the side that won the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil is present in coach Joachim Loew’s squad in Russia, with some having retired and others either injured or rested.
After a season in a struggling Schalke team, central midfielder Leon Goretzka was one of those who seized his chance in Monday’s opening 3-2 win over Australia.
He scored Germany’s third goal in the Group B game with a deft strike from Joshua Kimmich’s pass having won the penalty which Julian Draxler converted for the second goal in Sochi.
But it was not all completely smooth and Germany’s young guns know there is still much room for improvement as they prepare to face Chile next on Thursday in Kazan.
“We cannot allow so many mistakes against Chile and we need to be more efficient up front,” said Bayern Munich’s Kimmich, Germany’s first-choice right-back at 22.
Loew has warned his young charges that against Chile they must concentrate for “90, not 60 minutes” as they did against Australia and Goretzka agreed.
“There were good and bad phases against Australia. In some situations we showed we can play good football, but we lost our grip on the opponent in the last 20, 25 minutes,” said Goretzka.
“Chile have a different quality than Australia, they’ve got world-class players.”
