Mueller says pressure on Germany ‘terrifically high’

SOCHI: Germany star Thomas Mueller says the reigning world champions are feeling the pressure as they prepare for this weekend’s game against Sweden at risk of an unthinkably premature exit.

Joachim Loew’s team are in a vulnerable position after starting their defence of the World Cup with a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico in Moscow on Sunday.“We have made ourselves vulnerable. We are self-critical enough to analyse the situation, but now we must look forwards together,” Mueller said at a press conference at the German team hotel in Sochi on Wednesday.

“We have two important tasks in front of us. The pressure is terrifically high, but we won’t win both games if we beat ourselves up internally and look for the mistakes in each other.“There is nothing we want more than to be successful against Sweden, you can believe us on that.”

If the Mexicans beat South Korea earlier in Group F on Saturday, Germany would know that a draw against the Swedes on Russia’s Black Sea coast would in all probability mean elimination in the opening stage.

However, the Germans have not gone out in the first round since 1938, and they will look to kickstart their campaign in Sochi before facing the Koreans next week.Loew’s side came to Sochi early, giving themselves a full three days to acclimatise to the heat and humidity in this part of Russia before facing the Swedes, who are based up the coast.

Germany’s hotel looks out over the sea, a stark contrast to their permanent tournament base in the forest southwest of Moscow.“Let us hope looking at the sea will be an inspiration to reach higher things,” said Bayern Munich’s Mueller.