EURO 2004 QUALIFYING/Group Five:Of the two German managers thrust into the media spotlight last night, one retained an air of thrilled expectation laced with genuine optimism. The other, bubble perm more ruffled than ever, offered little more than a scowl. For Berti Vogts and Rudi Voeller, adjusting to such role reversal is likely to take some time.
Germany retain second place in Group Five and are classed as favourites for this evening's critical qualifier against the Scots at the Westfalenstadion but the flak aimed at Voeller after Saturday's passionless goalless draw in Iceland continues to fly.
The World Cup runners-up have stuttered where they should have strolled. Scotland, of whom so little had been expected, are pinching themselves that a passage to Portugal might yet be gleaned without a play-off.
Vogts was in relaxed mood yesterday - "Maybe it's the weather" - as he contemplated taking on the country he represented 96 times as a player and oversaw 102 times as a manager.
Despite losing only 12 times as coach and winning Euro '96, his side's disappointing showing at France '98 whipped up such a media clamour that he eventually stepped down that autumn.
With that in mind, discovering that Voeller has taken to on-screen spats with the former international-turned-television analyst Gunter Netzer, whom he accused of "talking shit", has prompted genuine sympathy.
"I understand the pressure Rudi's under but the time was right for him to make that outburst," said Vogts, who handed Voeller his first under-21 cap in 1979. "I cannot understand the criticism he's taking.
"He should command respect - he was an outstanding player and, as a manager, he took them to the World Cup final. But it happens.
"I was criticised incessantly and, when the time is right, you have to do something special. He's done that. He's been clever. He has deflected the focus from the team and on to him."
Germany may be unbeaten in the group but they have been unconvincing.
"The whole focus of German football has been on the 2006 World Cup," said Vogts, who has lost the injured Don Hutchison and will choose between Steven Thompson or Paul Dickov to play alongside Neil McCann up front.
It's a young squad - Christian Rahn doesn't play regularly for Hamburg but they are planning ahead.
"In 2006, Germany have to win the World Cup. Second place would be a disaster. Maybe they've taken their eye off qualifying for Euro 2004.
"But their team are still strong enough to get to Portugal and, when the Germans have to win a match, they always play it at Dortmund.
"I did it for a game against Armenia and we beat them 6-0 here. It's their stronghold, a fortress, though I'm still confident."
Voeller, meanwhile, has pleaded for the emphasis to be put back on football and has urged his players to restore the pride of the nation tomorrow night in Dortmund.
"It is difficult to get away from all the fuss but it has to end some time," Voeller said. "The emphasis must be on football.
"Every single player who is allowed to play in such a superb stadium should ask himself what he was born for. To play such a game before such a crowd in such a stadium is what footballers live for.
"You wouldn't believe what I would give to play that game myself, if I were a few kilos lighter."
GERMANY (4-4-2; probable): Kahn (Bayern Munich); Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Baumann (Werder Bremen), Worns (Dortmund), Rau (Bayern Munich); Schneider (Leverkusen), Ballack (Bayern Munich), Ramelow (Leverkusen), Kehl (Dortmund); Bobic (Hertha Berlin), Neuville (Leverkusen).
SCOTLAND (4-1-3-1-1; probable): Douglas; McNamara (both Celtic), Webster, Pressley (both Hearts), Naysmith (Everton); Dailly (West Ham); Cameron (Wolves), Ferguson (Blackburn), Lambert (Celtic); McCann (Southampton); Thompson (Rangers).
Referee: A Frisk (Sweden).
Guardian Service
