Germany Recalls Slovakian Challenge Ahead of Round of 16 Clash: "On Monday, We'll See a Slovakian Team"

Germany has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since winning the title in 2014. They topped Group E after victories over Curaçao (7:1) and Ivory Coast (2:1), despite a 1:2 loss to Ecuador in their final group match, which ended their eleven-game winning streak. Their last defeat before that was inflicted by Slovakia at the start of the European qualifiers, who sensationally beat them 2:0 at Tehelné Pole. However, Germany later crushed Francesco Calzona's then-squad 6:0 in the final group stage match.

“We know we have a knife to our throat in the knockout stage. We’ve been in this situation before against Slovakia. The pressure was high then too. On Monday, we will see a Slovakian team, not an Ecuadorian one,” stated Andreas Rettig, CEO of the German Football Association (DFB), to the sports media.

Rettig added that the loss against Ecuador was deserved and “there’s no point in sugarcoating it.” Criticism was directed at both the team and coach Julian Nagelsmann, who, despite not resting his best players against Ecuador, left Deniz Undav on the bench. Undav is Germany's top scorer in the tournament with three goals and previously secured the win against Ivory Coast. More was expected, particularly from the trio of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz. “I have to laugh that some people were surprised after the match by how Julian Nagelsmann defended his players. That’s what I expect from a coach,” Rettig remarked, according to DPA.

 Nagelsmann himself admitted that his players lost some control against Ecuador and must learn from it by Monday. “We need to improve, but at the same time, we must look forward. It’s important that we start well. We need to be calmer and more active in certain situations,” he said before the match against Paraguay. Germany previously met this opponent in the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup, where Oliver Neuville secured a narrow 1:0 victory in the 88th minute.

Paraguay returns to the World Cup after 16 years, having reached the quarterfinals in South Africa last time. They began their Group D campaign with a 1:4 loss to the USA, then defeated Turkey 1:0, and secured four points after a goalless draw with Australia. They advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. After the win against Turkey, coach Alfaro emphasized that his team does not want to be seen as underdogs: “We can face better, more important, or more prestigious opponents. We respect that, but we will never feel like underdogs or inferior.”

Captain Gustavo Gomez echoed these sentiments, stating after their qualification that the team is not content with merely participating in the knockout stage. “We’ve returned to compete, and we will fight until the end. We’ve put Paraguay on the world stage. It doesn’t end here,” the Palmeiras defender posted on social media. “Just as it was difficult to get here, it will be difficult to eliminate a stronger opponent. Impossible? No, nothing is impossible,” Alfaro added. The winner of this match will face the victor of the France-Sweden tie in the round of 16 in Philadelphia.