Eyes on the Prize: Germany in High Spirits Ahead of World Cup Match With Mexico

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany head coach Joachim Low said on Saturday that he "did not dream" of repeating Germany's 2014 FIFA World Cup success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Reigning champions Germany, who thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, will face Mexico at Moscow's 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

"I don't dream ofthis, I'm a realist. We won the semi-final witha 7-1 score, this happens once ina lifetime. It was a wonderful day… butI don't think this will happen again. The most important thing is towin the semi-final, the score doesn't matter," Low told journalists when he was asked if Germany could repeat their 2014 World Cup result.

He added that all the top-level teams, including Brazil, France and Spain, have become stronger since 2014.

"We must admit the strong points ofthe other teams… We must think what we need toimprove," Low said.

Low said further that he was sure that his team would get off to a good start at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

"There is nothing better fora footballer thanto play ata World Cup, and, ofcourse [our] players feel the tension. But ata tournament likethis you should take it one step ata time. Right now we are focusing onMexico and I am sure we will get offto a good start atthe tournament," Low told journalists.

Germany-Mexico

Speaking aboutthe upcoming match withMexico, Midfielder Julian Draxler expressed hope that Germany would "hold uptradition", and Mexico would not defeat them.

"Mexico has never defeated Germany. It's a new tournament, and history doesn't matter. But we hope that we will hold upthe tradition, and Mexico won't defeat us… We have many young strong players, some ofthem have used the chance toshow their worth atthe Confederations Cup. It is very important forus tohave players who have… won the world champions title, they know how tostart such tournament," Daxler told journalists.

Julian Draxler will start tomorrow for #GER against #MEX (via a Löw interview with ARD Radio).

Löw at the presser today: He took a huge step forward at the Confed Cup, being captain too. I’m a fan of his ability. He can make a difference.”

Draxler’s #WorldCup? pic.twitter.com/fdfLZnmmcZ

— Jonathan Harding (@JonBloggs66) June 16, 2018

​Draxler stated that Germany had noticed some of the Mexico "weak spots" at the Confederations Cup in 2017.

"Yes, we defeated Mexico 4-1 atthe Confederations Cup, butnow it's a completely different tournament. Our team has changed a lot sincethen… We'll have a completely different game. We've noticed some ofthe Mexico's weak spots duringthat game, buttomorrow everything will start afresh," Draxler told journalists.

Germany thrashed Mexico 4-1 in the semi-final of the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.

"Mexico is a strong team… We're ready tomeet them, we're looking forward tothe game. If we follow our plan and use our strong points, we will win," Draxler said.

He added that he was eager to take part in the match.

"Ask the coach if I get intothe squad or not," he told journalists.

Draxler went on saying that Arsenal and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil was perhaps "the most creative player" of the team.

"Mesut Ozil is an extraordinary player… Perhaps, he's our most creative player. There is no doubt that he is very much important tothe German national team. But you should ask the coach if he [Ozil] makes it tothe squad," Draxler said.

Back with the team 😃🇩🇪 Just in time for our first training session in Russia 👍🏼😉 #ZSMMN #DieMannschaft #Worldcup @DFB_Team pic.twitter.com/7gd8JJdDw7

— Mesut Özil (@M10) June 13, 2018

Germany will also play Sweden in Sochi on June 23 and South Korea in Kazan on June 27 in as a part of Group F.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will last till July 15, with the games set to be played at 12 stadiums across 11 Russian cities.