Jupp Heynckes is confident Manuel Neuer will be back and ready to play for Germany at the 2018 World Cup. Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus has criticised Per Mertesacker for saying he was glad when the team went out of the 2006 World Cup because of the burden of pressure. In a wide-ranging interview with Der Spiegel, 33-year-old Mertesacker said he had been "most of all relieved" when tournament hosts Germany lost to Italy. "I only thought: It's over. It's over. Finally, it's over," Mertesacker said, admitting that the pressure of matchdays could leave him close to being sick. But Matthaus told Sky: "You don't have to play for the national team -- he did it...
Full Story »