Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 6y

Germany players not divided after defeat against Mexico - Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer denied that there is a division in Germany's camp between the 2014 World Cup winners and the 2017 Confederation Cup winners.

There have been reports in German media that the camp was split between the two sections, but Neuer, the team's captain, denied that was the case.

"There is no division. We are one team," Neuer said at a news conference in Moscow. "We've laid it on the line. We were straight-shooting."

Eight of the nine World Cup winners started in the 1-0 loss to Mexico on Sunday, while the three other starters -- Marvin Plattenhardt, Timo Werner and Joshua Kimmich -- were among the 13 who lifted the Confederations Cup.

Julian Draxler and Matthias Ginter played in both tournaments and Marco Reus missed both with injuries.

Neuer arrived 50 minutes late for the news conference and told reporters he was coming from a team meeting but would not go into detail what was discussed.

He did, however, admit that following the defeat to Mexico, several issues were addressed within the team.

"We are our biggest critics," he said. "We were angry with ourselves after Mexico. We were disappointed.

"It's important we say things straight into our face. I believe the communication was never stronger than after the Mexico match."

Germany lost to Mexico after winning just one of their previous six matches, a 2-1 warm-up against Saudi Arabia, but Neuer believes Germany will still be able to succeed.

"We lacked courage, identity, and confidence against Mexico," Neuer said. "I can't say why. The body language was not on the pitch, and it must not happen again."

He also urged the experienced players to answer key questions: "Am I ready to take on this tournament 100 percent? Am I ready to give it my all for the team?"

Still, Neuer believes that coach Joachim Low does not have to make many changes to the starting formation for the game against Sweden on Saturday, when Germany must not lose to maintain their chances of making the knockout stages.

"You don't have to change players," Neuer said. "We did not show what we are capable of.

"I am convinced that we will show a different face. We must show what made us strong. I am convinced we can do it. We believe and we now we can do it. We will show it against Sweden. But throwing the lever is more challenging than just saying it."

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