Loew reckons that Germany must “crank it up” against Portugal

Germany started their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 loss against tournament favourites France. While that result didn’t surprise anyone, Germany will be under immense pressure as they face Portugal next. Germany were labelled as underdogs prior to the tournament owing to notable losses against North Macedonia and Spain.

They performed quite well against France and could have drawn level on a few occasions.

Portugal, on the other hand, won their game 3-0 and are at the top of the group. France are currently occupying second position after a Mats Hummels own goal was enough to give them the win. Germany will have to get something out of the next match if they are to finish in the top 2. Joachim Loew wants his team to “crank it up” against Portugal on Saturday.

“It’s up to us to crank things up in the next two or three days,” said Loew. “We have to look to improve, because we need a goal or two.”
Hummels said on Instagram the defeat “hurts us a lot and me especially, because my own goal decided the game,” but the centre-back said the focus was now on beating holders Portugal in Munich.

France scored two offside goals and had an Adrien Rabiot shot hit the bar, but overall Germany were pretty solid in defence. Their main issue is in the final third as no one was able to trouble Hugo Lloris.

“The substitutes didn’t get into the game as well as we had hoped,” said Loew. “But France are strong. They sat very deep after the lead and didn’t give us much space.”
The Germany players and fans are still hurting by their painful group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup and that seems like a possibility if they fail to beat Portugal in their next match.

“When you lose the first game, and have three group matches, the pressure is high — there is no need to discuss it,” Toni Kroos said bluntly.
Germany will host Portugal at the Allianz Arena on Saturday before welcoming Hungary in their last group match.