Confederations Cup: Don’t Underestimate Germany – Mexico Coach Warns Team

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio warned against underestimating a youthful Germany in Thursday ’ s Confederations Cup semi – final because of the wealth of experience many of them had already gained, AFP reports .

Of the eight teams at the tournament the Germans brought the youngest squad to Russia’ s Confed Cup with an average age of just over 24 .

Despite leaving their 2014 World Cup -winning stars at home , the Germans earned their semi – final place by topping their group after beating Australia and Cameroon and fighting back to draw 1- 1 with South American champions Chile .

Osorio pointed out that the likes of Paris Saint- Germain ’ s Julian Draxler , 23, Liverpool’ s Emre Can , 23, and Arsenal’ s Shkodran Mustafi, 25 , have already played in both the Bundesliga and Europe’ s top leagues.

“You can be young and have a lot of experience , ” said Osorio.

“A 30- year – old that starts studying cardiology will know a lot less than a 21 year old graduate, who already works in an emergency room in a big city and has already performed a lot of surgeries .

“Guys like Draxler and ( Bayern Munich ’ s ) Joshua Kimmich, have all played Champions League and have lots of Bundesliga experience , despite their ages. ”

Osorio has chopped and changed the Mexico team for all three Confed Cup games so far .

Ex – Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez says whoever plays at Sochi ’ s Fisht Stadium will be capable of beating the world champions to reach Sunday ’ s final.

“I have been playing for two years in the Bundesliga , we need to see where their weaknesses are and where we can hurt them, ” said Bayer Leverkusen striker Hernandez, who has started two of Mexico ’ s three games in Russia .