Thomas Müller: “I feel that some people are happy when we don’t do well”

The German national team can still qualify to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, but they need to defeat Costa Rica in the last game of the group stage. The four-time champions started the campaign by losing 2-1 to Japan and the following game salvaged a point when Niclas Füllkrug scored in the 83rd minute in the 1-1 tie against Spain.

Germany optimistic about their chances

The team managed by Hansi Flick is trying to avoid an early departure in back-to-back tournaments following and they need to defeat Keylor Navas and co. by a large margin on December 1. The Germany national team will be forced to book an early flight home if they tie or lose against Costa Rica on Thursday and they are aware of the scenario ahead of them.

“We approach the game in the best possible way. Winning 8-0 is possible, but not realistic in a World Cup. We don’t want to be too aware of the other game as well,” said Thomas Müller during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the match against Costa Rica on Thursday.

“When the football world looks at Germany versus Costa Rica, from the outside looking in we are the favorites and it is clear that we should win,” Muller added. “We are staying humble. We have only one point and a minus one goal difference, there’s no reason for us to be euphoric.

“There may have been a smile on our lips [in the tie against Spain], but that was only because we knew we now have a chance. We need to be realistic. We are in a situation where we can go further, but it is not all in our hands, so we can’t be too happy.

“I feel that some people, especially online, are happy when we don’t do well, which I think is a pity. We are really happy because it feels like the World Cup atmosphere is coming out and football is now front and center, which I am especially glad about,” concluded Müller.