By DPA,
Pretori : Germany coach Joachim Loew has told his players he wants a victory over Serbia to avoid a must-win game in their last match against Ghana, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Thursday.
“Jogi (Loew) found very clear words to say (to the players),” Bierhoff said before the squad left their base near Pretoria for Port Elizabeth.
Germany should be at full strength for Friday’s Group D encounter. Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has recovered from an infection which prevented him training for two days.
“He is top fit, just like all the other players,” Bierhoff said.
After their 4-0 win over Australia, Germany can put themselves in a strong position to reach the last 16 with victory over Serbia. Progress would be sealed if the Germans win and Ghana, who defeated Serbia 1-0, also beat Australia.
Former Germany striker Bierhoff is meanwhile undecided on his future after the World Cup. Both the contracts of the coach and team manager expire after the tournament.
The German football federation would like Loew to stay on but Bierhoff’s position is less clear.
Bierhoff told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily he did not know what would happen after the tournament and was unclear as to his own intentions.