Joachim Low, Germany coach
I think both teams played well defensively today. There weren’t many goalscoring opportunities, which was part of our plan. We didn’t want to give France chances with the quality of strikers they possess. We closed them down well – and that was the key. They did the same against us, because Yohan Cabaye and Paul Pogba are a great screen for the defence and we knew that we had to go wide in order to create chances, which is why I switched Philipp Lahm to the full-back position. France gave everything to try to force the equaliser, but Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng were excellent and Manuel Neuer did well when called upon. In the last four World Cups we've reached the semi-finals. That is a good achievement. We now need to take the next step.
I think both teams played well defensively today. There weren’t many goalscoring opportunities, which was part of our plan. We didn’t want to give France chances with the quality of strikers they possess. We closed them down well – and that was the key. They did the same against us, because Yohan Cabaye and Paul Pogba are a great screen for the defence and we knew that we had to go wide in order to create chances, which is why I switched Philipp Lahm to the full-back position. France gave everything to try to force the equaliser, but Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng were excellent and Manuel Neuer did well when called upon. In the last four World Cups we've reached the semi-finals. That is a good achievement. We now need to take the next step.
Didier Deschamps, France coach
Although our adventure in Brazil ends here and we’re sad, disappointed and frustrated, we’ll move on. I hope this group of players can play together for a long time. I have a lot of work to do with them, but things are definitely promising. We’ll need to maintain this momentum and quality. Although I’m hurt and disappointed at the moment, I have to remember that there are a lot of positives. Today, there wasn’t much between the two sides. Compared to Germany we were much more inexperienced team and they are more used to playing big international matches like this. I thought we were a little bit timid at first and they scored early. After that, we showed promise. We created chances and could have been more clinical, but Manuel Neuer had a good game. That said they could have easily scored a second when we were pushing forward at the end.
Although our adventure in Brazil ends here and we’re sad, disappointed and frustrated, we’ll move on. I hope this group of players can play together for a long time. I have a lot of work to do with them, but things are definitely promising. We’ll need to maintain this momentum and quality. Although I’m hurt and disappointed at the moment, I have to remember that there are a lot of positives. Today, there wasn’t much between the two sides. Compared to Germany we were much more inexperienced team and they are more used to playing big international matches like this. I thought we were a little bit timid at first and they scored early. After that, we showed promise. We created chances and could have been more clinical, but Manuel Neuer had a good game. That said they could have easily scored a second when we were pushing forward at the end.
Mats Hummels, Germany defender and Budweiser Man of the Match
As for the goal, the ball from Toni Kroos was good and I was in the right place at the right time! We’re playing the type of football that will give us the chance to win. We’re defending well, with passion and that needs to be intensified with every coming match. France are a top team and today was tough – it certainly wasn’t a walk on the park. That said, I think we deserved to win.
As for the goal, the ball from Toni Kroos was good and I was in the right place at the right time! We’re playing the type of football that will give us the chance to win. We’re defending well, with passion and that needs to be intensified with every coming match. France are a top team and today was tough – it certainly wasn’t a walk on the park. That said, I think we deserved to win.
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