Völler confident Germany will ‘give everything’ against Paraguay in World Cup knockout opener

A message of belief in Winston-Salem

Rudi Völler, the DFB’s sport director, used his press conference on Saturday at the Wake Forest University training base to project calm and confidence after the 2-1 group-stage loss to Ecuador. He insisted there was no reason to panic and that the squad is ready for the knockout phase.

The belief is there that on Monday we will give everything, go absolutely to the limit, play a really good game and of course move into the next round.

Völler repeatedly described himself as “completely calm and relaxed,” framing the Ecuador defeat as a match where Germany had already secured first place in the group and lacked the same desperation as their opponents.

Defending Nagelsmann after the Ecuador stumble

Without being explicitly asked, Völler positioned himself as a shield for head coach Julian Nagelsmann. He praised the rotation decisions and substitutions in the Ecuador game as correct, and dismissed outside criticism as something to accept but not overrate. For Nagelsmann, the Paraguay match marks his first World Cup knockout contest.

There is no reason to constantly have to protect Nagelsmann.

Völler acknowledged that “unnecessary and easy ball losses” had made life difficult against Ecuador, but he predicted a sharper performance now that the stakes are do-or-die.

Paraguay’s physical test and a historical echo

Paraguay, who reached the round of 16 as a group third behind the United States and Australia, are described by Völler as a side that “stands a bit deeper, is a bit more physical.” The style mirrors the problems Ecuador posed, yet the German camp sees no mystery in it.

We have players who are totally used to that. We know this style of play. It should be nothing out of the ordinary.

The fixture also recalls the 2002 World Cup, when Germany faced Paraguay at the same stage. Völler, then the team manager, watched Oliver Neuville score late for a 1-0 victory in Seogwipo. He called the coincidence “things that only happen in life,” but stressed that history counts for nothing on Monday night.

Heat, humidity and what is at stake

The match kicks off at 22:30 CEST on Monday at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, about 35 km southwest of Boston. Temperatures are expected around 30 degrees Celsius with the high summer humidity typical of the region. The venue, home to the New England Patriots, is in the same time zone as the German team headquarters in Winston-Salem, so no jet-lag adjustment will be needed.

With a possible last-16 encounter against France looming, Völler refused to look past Paraguay. “There are nations that belong among the top favourites. France is one of them. But we are not dealing with that now,” he said. The message is clear: Monday is win-or-go-home.