Bernhard left wanting more from Germany
Thursday, December 5, 2013
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Anouschka Bernhard praised Germany's early attacking intent but was less than enamoured by the finalists' second-half showing against an Italy side overawed by the occasion.
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Anouschka Bernhard, Germany coach
We scored in the first half – that was the difference. We started the match very well and played a really good half. We created several chances thanks to some excellent attacking play, and managed to score. In the second half, however, we lost our game completely, in the same way we did against Scotland. It was subsequently a very close game in the end. It didn't seem like the game would pan out like that after such a good start, but we got the goal and we're in the final.
Our strength is our attacking play, we like to take the game to the opposition because our defence is our weakness. The plan was to attack from the off at a high tempo, and to use the space that we knew Italy would allow us. We started well but faded in the second half. We are happy to have reached the final but the way in which we got there is not particularly pleasing for me. Maybe in half an hour I'll feel better. To play in a final is a huge thing. We played against Spain in the group stage and we know how they play. For now, we will try and enjoy this evening.
Enrico Sbardella, Italy coach
We were not physically on par with the Germans. We had lots of desire and determination to reach the final, but congratulations to the winners who are a great side. We did all we could. Now we've got to recover for Sunday's game which means a lot to us with a place in the World Cup at stake. I told them it was pointless being scared of this great Germany side, so I urged them to push up and attack. If you're going to lose, it's best to leave the field having given it everything rather than returning home with the regret of not having tried.
I was delighted with the second half. We may not have had any huge chances to score, but we caused Germany problems at times. We showed a lot of quality and I hope what we've achieved at the European Championships can launch a revival of women's football in Italy. To compete with this [Germany] side was difficult and we had to make some changes because physically we'd used up lots of energy, but I'm proud of my girls.