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Löw Blasts Below-Par Performance

German national team trainer Joachim Löw was forced to admit that his side were second best to Croatia after seeing the beaten 2-1 by Slavan Bilic’s side.

The German's air of invincibility was dashed with goals from Dario Srna and Ivica Olic handing Croatia a 2-1 win. Lukas Podolski grabbed one back for the Germans, only for Bastian Schweinsteiger to be sent off at the end of the game.

Löw admitted that his side had underperformed and found it difficult to take any positives from the game.

“It is difficult to voice criticism so soon after a game” he said. “But all the players played below what they are capable of. In the first ten or fifteen minutes we had no tempo and were not competitive.

“After going behind we were not in a position to keep up the pace, we lacked precision, and wasted possession” he added.

“We were not able to play our game. We were a long way off the level of performance we showed against Poland. In the second half we played without pressure and didn’t use the wings.

“Between midfield and attack, there was no compactness, which made things difficult for the defence.

“Schweinsteiger did not hit the opponent, but he did push him to the ground. Before the game we told the players not to allow themselves to be provoked.”

Goal.com - Germany - Löw Blasts Below-Par Performance