Time to think

Joachim Löw's toes sink deep into the Brazilian sand as he walks along the half empty beach. He moves slowly and every now and then his head is down. Germany's national team coach seems to be thinking about something.

Every once in a while he is interrupted in his thoughts. Sometimes, it's a small boy, a man or even a whole family, who come up to stop him for an autograph. Löw stays patient and friendly and smiles for the photos. Then he continues on, accompanied by his press officer and his security guard.

It would be nice to ask him what he is thinking about, after the close win against Algeria. But it seems clear: now is not a good time for questions.

Perhaps Löw is looking for answers himself. Why did his team struggle so much to play their natural game against the Algerians? Why was the defense so uncertain? Why did the midfield make so many mistakes? These are questions that can't be avoided.

A nerve-wracking game

Algeria did defend well, as was expected. But the fact that they were so dangerous in attack was a surprise to most. Especially in the first half the DFB team was under pressure to keep a clean sheet. If it wasn't for the courageous work of Manuel Neuer, often well outside the penalty area, the team would have been trailing at the break. In the end, it was a mix of Neuer's top form, André Schürrle's clever backheel goal and the German team's superior fitness that got them across the line.

The main message from the team after the game was clear: we got through to the next stage. Per Mertesacker reacted curtly when approached with a critical question after the game by a reporter.

"What do you want from me? Why do you want to talk to me straight after the game? I can't understand this", he grumbled, after being asked by a ZDF reporter about the reasons for Germany's performance.

In the plane from Porto Alegre back to the team camp in Porto Seguro, German FA's President Wolfgang Niersbach grabbed the in-flight microphone and set about improving the mood.

"The game was hard, it was a strain on the nerves, we all saw that," he told the players. "But, in the end the main thing is: you - we - are in the quarter finals." His words were met with a round of applause.

Ex-players unhappy

Some of Germany's former stars were less than positive about the team's performance against Algeria though. "The mix is just not right at the moment," said former national goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

"We have to find a better balance between classical strikers and the many players we have who are tricky with the ball, like Mesut Özil."

Former World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus wasn't happy with how the team's defense was set up. "We train up wing backs in Germany but then we put central backs in their position, who don't feel at ease. That is a big problem."

For Friday's match against France Löw will have to reshuffle his defensive line a little though. Mats Hummels looks like he is fit again, but another defender is now confirmed out for the rest of the tournament. Shkodran Mustafi tore a muscle in his left thigh in the match against Algeria. Philipp Lahm may also make a return to right back, after his time playing in the midfield.

Joachim Löw says that Bastian Schweinsteiger should be ready to play against France. The 29-year- old had to be subbed out due to muscle cramps in the round of 16 match against Algeria. "It's nothing serious," Löw said.

Coach Löw will also be hoping Schweinsteiger is back in form on Friday against France - in fact, he'll be hoping the same for the whole team.