Created on 15-10-2008 at 00:00 AM
When Germany go looking for a win against Wales in Monchengladbach on Wednesday to follow up Saturday’s victory over Russia, Bayern men Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski are almost certain to start for Joachim Löw’s team.
“A draw or defeat to Wales would undo all the good work we put in against Russia. We have to build on Saturday’s win,” declared Schweinsteiger. “We want all three points,” insisted Löw, calling on his men to show “the same focus we had against Russia.“
However, the Euro 2008 runners-up are wary of the men from the British principality. “Our recent results against Wales haven’t exactly been outstanding,” reflected Lahm. Germany have lost just twice in 15 meetings with the Welsh, but the most recent match ended goalless in Frankfurt eleven months ago.
Poldi and Miro up front
Nevertheless, Lahm and his team-mates are confident of success. “Our attacking game is sensational. We have real quality,” the full-back commented, although there was room for improvement in other areas of the field: “We have to start making the right decisions in defence.“
Although he has not ruled out “a change or two,” Löw is expected to start with the line-up which gave the skilled Russians a torrid time for the first half on Saturday, with Lahm at left-back, Schweinsteiger on the right, and Klose and Podolski leading the line.