“We need to keep this momentum going” – Amiri looks ahead to Ecuador clash

Despite already being certain to finish top of Group E, Germany will take the upcoming game against Ecuador very seriously, underlines Nadiem Amiri.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Having won their first two games at the World Cup, Germany are already certain to finish top of Group E and qualify for the round of 32 ahead of their final group-stage game against Ecuador on Thursday.

But as Germany midfielder Nadiem Amiri underlined at a press conference ahead of the match, this doesn't mean the game will be taken lightly.

“We need to keep this momentum going,” Amiri said, adding: 

“Winning breeds confidence. We owe it to the other sides to approach the game as though our own tournament depends on it. It’s still a very important match.”

How much will Germany rotate against Ecuador?

With qualification already secured, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann could use the match to give playing time to squad players and test new ideas.

But Amiri, who came off the bench against Côte d’Ivoire, is not expecting major changes.

“Lots of Germany fans will be in the stadium, with many more watching back home. We want to win and we’ll give it everything,” he said. 

“I can’t see Julian experimenting too much. We’ll approach it like a final,” continued the Mainz midfielder.

The game between Germany and Ecuador will be played in East Rutherford and kicks off on Thursday at 22:00 CEST.