Völler feels the heat

Afternoon match
After facing the Netherlands on Tuesday evening, Germany will take to the field in the late afternoon at the Estádio do Bessa Século XXI. "We are finding out just how hot it really is," Völler said today. "We trained at kick-off time yesterday and really felt it. Dedication, character and will power will be as important as skill against Latvia. Every player will face the test of playing through the pain barrier."

Drinking practice
Germany's coaching staff expect each of their players to lose between four and five litres of fluid during the game, prompting the 44-year-old Völler to implement a new approach in training. "We practised drinking in training yesterday," he said. "I have told the players to make use of every break in play to replace the fluid they are losing. If a player forgets to drink, he could find himself in trouble."

Injury worries
Völler also revealed minor injuries to two of his defenders. "Arne Friedrich trained on his own yesterday and Jens Nowotny picked up a slight knee injury," he said. "Both injuries are nothing serious and I am optimistic that Arne and Jens will be able to play."

'It won't be easy'
Völler is confident, too, that his side will prevail against Latvia. "We all want to win. We know it won't be easy, but I am sure we will get the result we want," he said. Nevertheless, he warned his players not to take victory for granted.

Difficult opponents
"One thing we are not allowed to do is underestimate the Latvians," he stressed. "We will have to put them under pressure, but at the same time we must make sure we don't leave ourselves open at the back because they are extremely dangerous on the break."

Under wraps
Having revealed yesterday that he would definitely field a second striker, the coach refused to comment any further on his exact formation, or who he might drop from the team that drew 1-1 with the Netherlands.

'That is football'
"The players will find out the lineup after training this afternoon and that is all I will tell you," he said. "Sometimes you have to make changes in football to adapt to certain games and that is just the way it is. I know that one of the players that did well against the Netherlands will be disappointed, but that is football."