Pedri and Gavi will lead Spain's new generation; says Lothar Matthaus

beat Costa Rica with seven goals on Wednesday in their first game at the 2022 World Cup while Germany lost 2-1 against Japan.

Ahead of the crucial game between Germany and Spain on Sunday, Lothar Matthaus has praised teenagers

and

.

Matthaus told Marca:

"They are going to lead this new generation and Luis Enrique is giving them a lot of confidence, and that is essential for them.

"La Roja always brings new values. If I go to the last game, I don't have a good feeling, but that is already past and tomorrow will be a new story.

"They are the two favourites of the group, but Japan should not be neglected.

"We will have to fight for every metre of the pitch. I think the Germans respect Spain a lot, they have a great team. It will be one of the great matches of the tournament."

Germany only lost once in their first game in the previous 18 World Cup editions but now they have lost their first game in the last two World Cups. Germany could be eliminated at the group stage for two consecutive World Cups.

Despite defeat against Japan, Matthaus believes Germany’s struggles have nothing to do with Toni Kroos's absence who has retired from international football.

"We have [Ilkay] Gundogan, [Joshua] Kimmich, [Jamal] Musiala. Kroos made the difference, and he continues to do so with Real Madrid,"

Matthaus said.

"He is a fantastic player, but he decided to leave the national team a few years ago and we have to respect that. In his position, we have [Manchester] City's captain Gundogan.

"We have two Bayern Munich stars, Kimmich and [Leon] Goretzka, but they are different from Kroos. Toni did incredible things for German football, but we already have others."

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