opener.
The defending champions begin their quest to retain the crown
against Mexico in the Luzhniki Stadium tomorrow.
Arsenal ace Ozil was a major doubt with a knee injury that ruled
him out of Germany’s final warm-up friendlies.
But coach Joachim Low revealed today the Gunners star is fit for
consideration - although he did not give away any team news.
Low said: “All the players are fit.
“Mesut Ozil had two extra training sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday.
“The overall impression is good. He is fit.
“I still have two or three options in terms of who is in the team but I
want to announce it to the players first before disclosing it.”
Ozil has been in the line of fire back home after he and Manchester
City’s Ilkay Gundogan posed for pictures with Turkish President
Recep Erdogan, with calls from some for the pair to be dumped from
the squad.
That was never going to happen but if Ozil is given extra time to be
fit his place would probably be taken by Paris St Germain schemer
Julian Draxler.
Draxler said: “Mesut is very important player for us. That’s a fact.
“The debate over his body language has raged for a couple of years.
“But he is an exceptional player with unparalleled technical abilities
and our most creative player on the pitch. He will be there when we
need him and he will be delivering in this tournament.”
Low admitted he was thrilled by Portugal’s stunning 3-3 draw with
Spain last night.
The German boss added: “We enjoyed watching Russia in the opening
match and seeing the euphoria reach stellar dimensions.
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