Watch out, you two!: Germany defender David Raum is relishing the prospect of keeping Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams at bay. — Reuters
HERZOGENAURACH: Euro 2024 hosts Germany are not feeling the heat ahead of Friday’s blockbuster quarter-final with Spain in Stuttgart, defender David Raum said on Monday.
Spain came from a goal down to beat Georgia 4-1 on Sunday with wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams particularly impressive. The result set up a meeting with the hosts who defeated Denmark 2-0 on Saturday.
Leftback Raum, sitting alongside rightback Joshua Kimmich at the German FA training base in Bavaria, said he was relishing the prospect of keeping Yamal and Williams at bay.
“I’m not breaking out in cold sweats and I don’t think anyone will be,” Raum told reporters, saying “we have to beat everyone if we want to achieve our big goal”.
“With Williams and Yamal, they have two dribblers who will give Jo (Kimmich) and me a real challenge – or whatever fullback the coach chooses. “But we will come up with a good plan and will try and find ways to keep them busy in defence.”
Kimmich called Spain “the most stable team” at Euro 2024.
“They’ve won all of their games very confidently. They’re going to be a tough nut to crack,” he said.
“If you want to win the tournament, there’s no way around Spain, but I don’t think the Spaniards will be happy they’ve got us as opponents.”
Germany and Spain have each won three Euros titles, sharing the record for the most tournament wins.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann selected Maximilian Mittelstaedt over Raum throughout 2024 but started the Leipzig leftback against Denmark after his last-minute assist for Niclas Fuellkrug’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
Against Denmark, Raum won Germany a penalty early in the second half when his cross hit the hand of Joachim Andersen, allowing the hosts to break the deadlock. — AFP
