Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has issued a rallying cry to his misfiring compatriots, exhorting them to bounce back from their shock defeat to Mexico by beating an in-form Sweden side in their next 2018 FIFA World Cup tie.
Die Mannschaft, who haven’t been in the best of form since the turn of the year, were overwhelming favourites when they took on El Tri at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
The defending World Cup champions, however, failed to click as Hirving Lozano’s 35th-minute strike consigned them to defeat in their World Cup opener.
Ozil, who plies his trade for Premier League giants Arsenal, posted this on Monday:
Bold words, but ones that will be of scant comfort to the disgruntled supporters that have travelled to Russia and the millions back home.
The favourites at the World Cup have largely failed to justify the hype as Brazil and Argentina have been held to 1-1 draws while France were lucky to beat Australia 2-1.
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Russa, the lowest ranked side at the World Cup, registered the biggest win of the tournament so far by thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 on day one of the quadrennial extravaganza.
Belgium, seemingly perennial dark horses, were arguably the most impressive European nation as they brushed aside debutants Panama 3-0 earlier on Monday.
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After Sweden edged South Korea in the other Group 1-0, Germany are on the verge of making an embarrassing first-round exit.
Their next tie, against the Swedes, is of paramount importance and while Ozil’s post isn’t overly dramatic, fans are hoping he and his teammates can walk the talk on June 23.