Stefan Effenberg said Joachim Low should drop Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira for Germany's second World Cup game against Sweden.
Mesut Ozil should be benched for Germany's second World Cup group game against Sweden, according to Stefan Effenberg.
Arsenal midfielder Ozil played the full 90 minutes as Germany slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their Group F opener – the side's first competitive defeat since their semi-final exit from Euro 2016 when they lost 2-0 to France.
Effenberg questioned Germany head coach Joachim Low's decision not to include second-half substitute Marco Reus in his starting line-up, calling for the Borussia Dortmund man to be in from the outset against Sweden.
"Low should put Ozil on the bench and bring in Marco Reus instead," Effenberg wrote in his column on t-online.de. "I could not understand why Reus did not play against Mexico from the start.
"If what Reus said after the game, that he was earmarked for the 'important games', is true, then the coach has completely misjudged this.
"The most important game was that against the strongest group opponent: Mexico."
Effenberg also called for Ilkay Gundogan to be drafted into the team to help Toni Kroos, who he said was marked out of the game against Mexico.
Juventus' Sami Khedira is the man Effenberg would have Low drop for Manchester City star Gundogan, who he says would offer more creativity in midfield.
"The key to Mexico was that Kroos was taken out of the game with man-marking," added Effenberg. "He could not play with his usual rhythm.
"Khedira would have had to help Kroos in this case, take over the role and make the game fast, but he didn't do that. Therefore, the logical consequence would be that he no longer plays against Sweden, as they will do that in a similar way.
"In place of Khedira, Ilkay Gundogan should play. The team simply needs dangerous balls from the central area to the top - that was completely missing against Mexico.
"Gundogan is a player who can play such passes."
Wezlmy
81
obviously this effenberg guy doesn't know what he is talking about, may be sure he made those comments when he was drunk. Marko is a fantastic player but how years has he not been playing consistent football due to injuries.?? Yes Khedira l agree with him Ilky should play in place of him. Özil is a world class player and in my view he didn't play bad against Mexico, they lost as a team.
eltorogillz
72
dont blame it on ozil,theres more to it than that.in 1998 france won the cup and came out of the group stage of the next,2006 italy won it and in the next campaign it was curtains for them,2010 spain won it in 2014 they were doomed so we come to germany who won it in 2014 and now will fall victim to the champions curse
Hasibul_Alam_Shovon
55
Instead of long passes Germany is now accustomed to short passes. Germany's power football was not seen enough on the 1st match. May be they can beat the challenge by their new style, but these sudden changes are quite shocking to many of its fans.
futbcrty
38
why will u bench such a great player, mezut is a complete player and he played well against Mexico, I think this is politics and hatred, his he going to be the one to play all the whole field, as I can see he played his role but they lost has a team, so stop bragging cos I don't know what u contribute during your own tenure useless man. The country should have appoint you as a coach if u are better during ur regime. move on ozil and keep shining.
SaibMang
29
OZIL is slowly fading and will be forgotten soon. In this game ,he was not shut out but rather wasn't in it at all! He's got a way of not 'turning up" although he's present. The cry baby attitude he habours isn't good for the team. If you don't feel like playing and aren't interested then it's best you stay home or are benched. The team doesn't revolve around him and the sooner he knows this then the better for him. Wake up and smell the coffee
alexisander19
22
Sami Khedira and Ozil can never be on the pitch at the same, Ozil work rate is below par and when the game is on the line can't create chances for teammates he becomes pedestrian and a by stander when he's needed most