By Klaus Bergmann and John Bagratuni, dpa
Mesut Oezil finally delivered as playmaker for Germany against Northern Ireland, and his passes and vision will also be needed in the last 16 against Slovakia.
Lille, France/Paris (dpa) – Mesut Oezil has finally raised his game and could be a key player again when world champions Germany play Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2016 on Sunday.
The forwards will depend on the passes of the 27-year-old Arsenal playmaker in order to break down what is expected to be a firm Slovakia defence.
However, Germany must also be more efficient as they wasted a dozen first-rate opportunities in their slim 1-0 win over Northern Ireland, with Oezil himself among those who failed to score.
The overall impression was promising however after the previous game 0-0 draw with Poland had exposed a lack of creativity up front, with Oezil below standard just as in the opening 2-0 win against Ukraine.
Loew then made key changes, bringing on Mario Gomez as a true striker and Joshua Kimmich as an attacking right back, which gave Thomas Mueller the space he needs up front and Oezil the freedom to deliver his razor-sharp passes.
«Oezil had the players he could feed. The players moved more, created options and space for others,» Loew said.
The 76-times capped Oezil said: «I am happy about my performance and that I set up a few chances. I know I can improve and the quality I have. I hope to show it in the next games.»
Slovakia will defend as passionately as Northern Ireland but is also more dangerous on the break, as they showed in their 3-1 win in a friendly over Germany last month.
Loew will be weighing his options such as whether to field Gomez again up front, and Kimmich or the more defensive Benedikt Hoewedes on the right.
Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger could start for the first time in place of Sami Khedira, who looked tired against Northern Ireland and lacked precision, in defensive midfield. Loew will also be hoping to have key centre back Jerome Boateng fit again after a calf problem.
Hoewedes did not complain about being benched, saying that each player has to swallow his pride in such a situation.
In the same way, Oezil refrained from too much delight about his own man-of-the-match performance Monday and rather said «we are working well as a unit.»
Oezil was among several regular starters who were rested for the May
29 friendly against Slovakia, which was no real test for this reason and because the second half was played on a water-logged pitch after a thunderstorm.
«That was a tune-up game, now we are in the knock-out stages.
Slovakia is a difficult task but we can and will solve it,» assistant coach Thomas Schneider said.
Oezil said he was happy Germany qualified as group winners and have kept a clean sheet so far, and he is also not afraid of the upcoming tasks in a tough half of the tournament draw.
Provided Germany beat Slovakia, they would next meet holders Spain or Italy, and then likely England or hosts France in the semis.
«We are Germany, we are the world champions … At the Euros it doesn’t matter who you face. You must beat everyone if you want to win the title,» Oezil said.
