Record national player Lothar Matthäus raved about the German national football team after the impressive friendly win against runner-up world champions France. “It all fits together,” said Matthäus at a sponsor meeting in Frankfurt am Main.
Germany has a team that can not only become European champions, but that “must become European champions,” said the 63-year-old a few hours before the friendly against the Netherlands in the evening (8.45 p.m./RTL).
Matthäus was particularly enthusiastic about returnee Toni Kroos, who stood out in the 2-0 win in Lyon. “Toni Kroos is indispensable in Ancelotti’s team at Real Madrid. Julian Nagelsmann positioned him from the start so that he was the leader. He sets the rhythm and tries to stabilize the defense. It’s like playing chess: no move that is unnecessary. I saw a lot of passes into the offensive field, that’s what sets him apart,” said Matthäus about Kroos.
The 1990 world champion expressed confidence for the home European Championships (June 14th to July 14th). “This is the right way. The German team showed more potential than in previous games. We have excellent players, we have young players. We have experienced players who have won everything,” said Matthäus. In the preliminary round, the DFB team will face Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland.