England can learn from Germany – Southgate

Manager Gareth Southgate says England can
learn from Germany’s consistent success under
Joachim Loew, ahead of Wednesday’s friendly
against the world champions.
The clash in Dortmund is a chance for
Southgate to impose his vision for England
after four unbeaten games as caretaker coach
led to his full-time appointment in November.
“We have to change the way we think and the
way we work because we have not had the
consistent success of our opponents,”
Southgate said.
“They are a great model for us to look at. We
don’t want to copy anyone, but you have to
respect that they have reached the semi-finals
and finals of major tournaments and won
things.”
Germany and England’s records at major
tournaments is chalk and cheese.
England’s best performance in recent years
was a run to the quarters at the 2006 World
Cup.
Since Loew took charge of Germany that year
they have reached at least the semi-finals of
every major tournament – a success rate
Southgate aspires for England to achieve.
“We have to change the way we think and the
way we work because we have not had the
consistent success of our opponents,”
Southgate said in Tuesday’s press conference
in Essen.
“They are a great model for us to look at.
“We don’t want to copy anyone, but you have
to respect that they have reached the semi-
finals and finals of major tournaments and won
things.
“That is the mentality we need to have.
“We are ranked 14th in the world, so we can
keep turning around and saying ‘if only we’d
done better in one game’.
“We have to take a long look at ourselves and
think what is needed to improve.”
Southgate knows all about German efficiency.
It was his saved penalty at Euro ’96 which sent
eventual winners Germany into the final at
England’s expense after they lost the semi-final
shoot-out at Wembley.
Germany are chasing a first win over their old
rivals on home soil since 1987 and need no
reminding of the 5-1 mauling their team took in
Munich in 2001, when Michael Owen hit a hat-
trick.
Chelsea’s centre-back Gary Cahill will captain
the Three Lions in Dortmund.
The 31-year-old was also skipper when
England came from two goals down to beat
Germany 3-2 in Berlin last March and he
expects another clash of the European titans.
“It’s a huge honour to captain your country,
I’ve done it three or four times now, one of
those was when we won here in Germany
which was a special night,” said Cahill.
“It’s important to try that we get some
momentum, it’s always nice to get results to
show things are working well.
“It will be fantastic to test ourselves against
these players, but likewise, they (Germany) are
looking to test themselves against (England’s)
top European players.
“It’s going to be a special occasion.”
Both sides are lacking big names, but the focus
for both Loew and Southgate is Sunday’s World
Cup qualifiers when Germany play Azerbaijan
away and England host Lithuania.
Both countries are top of their respective
groups on the path to Russia 2018
Southgate is particularly light on forwards,
missing the injured Harry Kane and Daniel
Sturridge, while dropping skipper Wayne
Rooney.
Manchester United’s Phil Jones is not in
Germany after injuring himself in training before
the team flew out.
While Southgate says Raheem Sterling may be
left out after a busy few weeks with
Manchester City.
Loew is missing midfielders Mesut Ozil and
Julian Draxler, while striker Mario Gomez and
goalkeeper Manuel Neuer are also sidelined.
Despite Loew’s injury woes, Southgate still
expects to face a strong home side with Lukas
Podolski named captain on his farewell 130th
appearance.
“They will look at our squad list and see the
names we are missing too,” said Southgate.
“We have to have the belief in our own players,
we respect the opponent, but our job is to find
a way to beat them.”