Mario Gomez warns his Germany teammates not to lose focus against Italy the way they did with England.
The world champions were 2-0 up against Roy Hodgson’s side on Saturday, but fell to a 3-2 defeat.
Speaking ahead of the game with the Azzurri tomorrow, the former Fiorentina striker called for greater focus.
“We would have liked to win. We played well up until they scored their first,” Gomez explained in a Press conference.
Mario Gomez warns his Germany teammates not to lose focus against Italy the way they did with England.
The world champions were 2-0 up against Roy Hodgson’s side on Saturday, but fell to a 3-2 defeat.
Speaking ahead of the game with the Azzurri tomorrow, the former Fiorentina striker called for greater focus.
“We would have liked to win. We played well up until they scored their first,” Gomez explained in a Press conference.
“We lost our way and left too much space, which England used well. They scored two goals from set plays. We knew they'd be dangerous from those situations and they showed that.
“We can take positives and negatives from the England game. We're all sad to have not won the match. We weren't good in the last 30 minutes and we need to look at that. We have to remain focused over the full 90 minutes, even if we're 2-0 up.
“We can't let it happen again as teams like England can take full advantage. In a major tournament, that results in you going home. That much is clear to us.
“I think that we set ourselves up in the right way but in spite of that, it's perhaps natural to take your foot off the gas when you're 2-0 up in a friendly. It's just how it is.
“We gave England a lot of room and they're blessed with a lot of individual quality. We were stupid to have lost this game.
“It'll obviously be a tough game as Italy have a good team and traditionally play very well against Germany.
“I think it's important to play well and get a good result to begin our preparations for the summer in a positive way.”
Gomez scored just seven goals in two seasons with Fiorentina, but has rediscovered his goalscoring touch after moving to Turkish side Besiktas on loan.
“I'm really enjoying football again and that had been missing for a while. I'm finally as fit as I need to be.
“I'm feeling that myself and I think it's clear to see. I'm experienced enough to know that goals are important but aren't everything.
“For me, it's all about fitness. I'm finally where I've wanted to be for the last two years. I've constantly been getting injured, working to come back and then suffering another setback.
“That's why I said I needed a new challenge. I have an intense year in Istanbul behind me with lots of training. I knew this would be my last chance to feature in and play a big role at a major tournament.
“That's been my main aim for the past few months. I'm delighted to be where I am.
“I said before the 2014 World Cup that Germany would be world champions, and I think that we have a good chance in France this summer. I want to be part of it.”