NAfter criticism of a comment by Sandro Wagner during the Germany vs. Spain game (1-1), ZDF wants to discuss it with its TV expert. The former professional footballer said in the 79th minute: “I thought the whole corner was full of Germany fans. Only then did I realize that these are the Qatari bathrobes.” Wagner was referring to the long white robes, called thawb, traditional in Qatar – and on the entire Arabian Peninsula – that many men also wear in the stadium.
The statement was criticized by some users on Twitter. The ZDF “Sportstudio” responded in a reply to a tweet on the subject: “Sandro Wagner’s statement about the Thawb unfortunately happened in an emotional phase of the game. It’s not allowed. We’ll discuss that.”
11:52 a.m .: Otto Addo – “After the World Cup it’s definitely over”
Otto Addo has made it clear that he will retire as head coach of Ghana after the World Cup. “After the World Cup, it’s definitely over as national coach,” Addo told Sky. The 47-year-old native of Hamburg had previously flirted with continued employment in Ghana despite his job as a talent coach at Borussia Dortmund.
Addo had been promoted from assistant coach to interim coach of the Ghanaians after the disappointing course of the Africa Cup of Nations. “Now the World Cup has priority, after that I’ll go back to BVB – that’s the plan,” said Addo after the World Cup.
11:26 a.m .: Ratings increase significantly
Interest in the football World Cup in Qatar remains manageable compared to past tournaments, but is increasing significantly. The game of the German national team against Spain set a new record on ZDF with over 17 million viewers:
10:59 a.m .: DFB team expects space and Sané
The coaching team around Hansi Flick is in good spirits that the German team can play in the decisive group game against Costa Rica with the battered full-back David Raum. Attacking player Leroy Sané, who missed the 2-1 draw with Japan due to knee problems, gave “positive signals” after his 20-minute appearance in the 1-1 draw against Spain the day after, like assistant coach Danny Rohl reported.
The Leipzig area had to be substituted shortly before the end of the game against Spain because of a bruised rib. “We think it fits with both,” said Röhl. Sané in particular was also an asset on the offensive after being substituted on. “Leroy brought what he can do to the pitch, what we appreciate about him,” said Marcus Sorg, Flick’s other assistant, in a digital press conference the day after the game.
10:33 am: Mexico without its captain
Mexico will be without captain Andres Guardado in the decisive World Cup preliminary round match against Saudi Arabia. The 36-year-old midfielder suffered a strain in his right thigh and will definitely miss Wednesday’s game, Mexican media reported unanimously on Monday.
Andres Guardado is missing against the Saudis
Which: REUTERS
The ex-Leverkusen player was injured and replaced shortly before half-time in the 2-0 defeat against Argentina on Saturday. There was initially no official statement from the Mexican association. Guardado is playing his fifth World Cup in Qatar.
9:55 a.m .: Fifa is investigating against the DFB
Fifa has launched an investigation after the German Football Association violated the press conference rules before the game against Spain. National coach Hansi Flick appeared alone for the obligatory press conference before the group game in Doha’s international media center on Saturday afternoon. However, all teams are obliged that before each game, in addition to the head coach, one player also speaks to the world press.
Flick justified this approach with what he believed to be the long journey from the team headquarters in northern Qatar to the capital, a good 100 kilometers away. About 30 hours before kick-off, none of the 26 players in his squad could “be expected to do this,” said Flick. Instead, they wanted to hold the press conference in the DFB media hotel in Al-Shamal right next to the training ground. This was not allowed by FIFA. The first possible consequence is a warning or a fine.
9:28 a.m .: Spreadsheet – This is how Germany progresses
In the last group game, Germany will play Costa Rica on Thursday at 8 p.m., while Spain and Japan will play each other at the same time. How Germany reached the round of 16:
9:03 a.m .: Luis Enrique remembers his deceased daughter
When this game and especially this day was over and Luis Enrique had to answer one of the last questions, Spain’s national coach took a deep breath. “Yes, it was a special day for me, for my family. No doubt,” he said, not referring to the 1-1 draw against Germany in the World Cup group game on Sunday evening in Qatar. On that day, his daughter Xana, who died in 2019, would have been 13 years old. “She is there for us every day,” added the 52-year-old.
Spanish Trainer Luis Enrique
Source: AP/Matthias Schrader
Even before the kick-off, Luis Enrique had reminded him of the girl. “Today we’re not only playing against Germany. Today is also a very special day because Xanita would have been 13 years old. My love, where you are, lots of kisses and have a great day,” the 52-year-old said in a video message on Instagram while on a bike. His youngest daughter had died of bone cancer at the time.
8:44 a.m .: TV experts want filling jugs in the starting XI
According to the TV experts, Niclas Füllkrug earned a place in the German starting line-up with his goal against Spain. “I would have given him the starting XI in the first game. He keeps proving his aggressiveness and he has shown that it is right that he is there,” said former international Tabea Kemme on Magenta TV. The third preliminary round match in Group E takes place against Costa Rica on Thursday.
“He just pulls away, in Bremen style. He submitted a good letter of application for the next game,” said former world champion Per Mertesacker on ZDF. “He’s got the momentum, hats off,” said former international Michael Ballack and suggested: “The guys who are in good shape in the league should get their chance. Why not throw him in at the deep end?”
8:27 a.m.: These four World Cup games are scheduled for today
- Cameroon – Serbia (11.00 a.m. / MagentaTV)
- South Korea – Ghana (2 p.m. CET/ARD and MagentaTV)
- Brazil – Switzerland (5 p.m./ARD and MagentaTV)
- Portugal – Uruguay (8 p.m. CET/ARD and MagentaTV)
8:02 a.m .: Strong Rüdiger – the German individual criticism
With the 1: 1 against Spain, Germany keeps the chance to reach the round of 16. Here is our individual review from the stadium in Doha:
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