Kimmich, Musiala and Undav react to "deserved" defeat against Ecuador

The trio of German players confessed their South American opposition wanted the win more than them on a difficult evening in New Jersey.

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images.

Germany's Group E campaign ended in defeat to Ecuador tonight – much to the frustration of team captain Joshua Kimmich.

“We started the game well, but then gave the ball away too often and made the opponent strong as a result," he said in the mixed zone.

“In the second half, it was a deserved loss in the end. Now we can't afford another defeat,” Kimmich explained. 

Meanwhile, Deniz Undav and Jamal Musiala reflected on the night in New Jersey where they felt Ecuador had the greater hunger.

“I had the feeling they wanted it more than we did. For them, everything was at stake, and we have to learn from that that.

“We have to give everything in games like these. Our plays weren't working, and the opponent gave 100 percent in every action,” said Undav.

“They were simply hungrier to win today. Their aggression was very high throughout the entire match.

"Now we have to prepare for the decisive phase – we have to win the next games," noted Musiala with an eye on the Round of 32.