Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has urged his Germany team-mates to go the "extra metre" at the World Cup in general and against dangerous Ivory Coast on Saturday in particular.
"I simply believe that in this tournament, given the conditions – which are perhaps a bit similar to those in Brazil – it all comes down to that extra metre," Neuer has said.
Recalled to play in his fifth World Cup, the 40-year-old Neuer has a wealth of experience at big events and knows what it takes to go all the way like 2014 in Brazil.
Germany trounced Curaçao 7-1 in their opening match and victory on Saturday in Toronto would clinch a place in the knock-out stages before the final group match next week against Ecuador.
"Yes, that's our goal. We have it in our own hands," Neuer said.
Tough second game
Germany only assured their passage out of the group in the final match in 2010 and 2014 while not advancing in 2018 and 2022.
Germany have won their last 10 matches as confidence is growing but Neuer shares the philosophy of coach Julian Nagelsmann of taking a step-by-step approach and not for instance looking at a potential last 16 clash with France.
"A lot is being said about France but we don't want that at all. We just want to look ahead at the next game and hope for the best," Neuer said.
Germany have struggled in the past in their second game before advancing, drawing 2-2 with Ghana in 2014, losing 1-0 against Serbia in 2010 and drawing 1-1 with Ireland in 2002. They got a last-gasp 1-0 against Poland in 2006 which was the last time they won all three group games.
Diomande v Brown reloaded?
Ivory Coast, who won their opener 1-0 against Ecuador, will be no push-over with their formidable attacking force of Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Touré and Nicolas Pepe.
RB Leipzig's Diomande could be up against German shooting star full back Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt like in their two Bundesliga duels last season where Diomande scored four goals.
On the other hand, Diomande was kept scoreless against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund who provide the national team centre backs in Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Positioning the key
Reserve defender Antonio Rüdiger admitted that the Ivory Coast forwards are like an "express train" but said that Germany contained the similarly dangerous Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo well in a friendly international victory in March.
Germany's defence looked a bit shaky for a while against Curaçao and Neuer said it would be crucial to win the ball in transition moves.
Rüdiger added: "I expect us to have a lot of possession. And that’s exactly when it’s important to position ourselves well.
“We’ll make mistakes, that’s perfectly normal. But if we’re well positioned we can win the ball higher up the pitch and attack straight away,” he added.
