Oezil happy with Loew´s changes

24 June 2012 17:23

Mesut Oezil believes the changes Joachim Loew made for Germany's 4-2 win against Greece allowed him to move more freely.

The Real Madrid attacking midfielder had been underwhelming in the team's first three group games, but finally came alive in a man-of-the-match display against the Greeks.

"That game came as a relief to me. I was able to show what I was capable of," Oezil told Bild am Sonntag.

"I was only angry that I wasn't able to score a goal."

Asked to comment on Loew's decision to field Miroslav Klose, Marco Reus and Andre Schuerrle in the starting 11, Oezil said it brought his own game to a whole new level.

"I've certainly benefited (from the changes)," Oezil said. "We had a lot of open players, and there was a lot of movement, which makes my game easier.

"We had confidence earlier, but the way we played against the Greeks certainly makes us feel stronger.

"Getting a 15th competitive win drives us on. I've read in Bild that it would be a world record - it should be.

"The other nations will all respect us now. That's how I felt before the tournament in the Real Madrid dressing room. Everyone knows exactly how strong our national team is."

Germany will face either England or Italy in the semi-finals.