The German was born in Mannheim, Germany, but he also holds French citizenship, which makes tonight’s encounter a tough one for him
The head coach of the Nigerian national football team Gernot Rohr is undecided about which team to back for victory when Germany trade tackles with France in the second Group F match at the UEFA Euro 2020.
Germany host reigning world champions France at the Fussball Arena in Munich later on Tuesday evening as both teams aim to kick off their European Championship journey with a victory.
A Cristiano Ronaldo brace guided Portugal to an excellent 3-0 victory over Hungary earlier in the day to set the ball rolling in the proverbial ‘Group of Death’.
With both Germany and France boasting world-class players who could snatch victory for either side with a moment of brilliance, it’s one of the hardest games to call for any football fan.
It is even more so for Rohr, who is emotionally attached to both countries.
The Super Eagles head coach was born in Germany, and he featured for a couple of German clubs early in his career, including Bayern Munich.
But it is at French side Girondins Bordeaux that he attained heroic status, featuring in over 350 league matches in a career spanning over a decade.
Rohr then began his coaching career at the same club, taking in three different spells before saying goodbye in 1996.
Now managing three-time African champions, Nigeria, Rohr still spends a lot of time in France, and he believes the French hold a slight edge over the Germans.
“It’s still a highly anticipated game, not just in Germany and France,” the 62-year-old said, as per Europe1 via Girondins4ever.
“They are two great teams, in good shape, and there are players who play in clubs in each team under the same jersey.
“That is also interesting. It could be a final, but it’s the first game of a competition. It’s the death group, yes, but the third can also qualify.”
“We have to play down this first game. There will be a great match already in this great match, where four Bayern players from each side will face each other as opponents.”
“Both teams are in good shape, they won their last preparation match. The Blues are favourites because they are World Champions quite simply, you have to assume the status.”
“It’s a pretty nice role for Germany not to be favourite, whereas often in the past, it was the reverse.”
Rohr, though, could not bring himself to predict a French victory.
The former Gabon head coach expects goals to flow aplenty in Munich, but he confesses he would be happy if the game ends in a draw.
“A prediction? 2-2!” he added.
“There will be goals, Germany will attack, France is also obliged to have an attacking game. I think there will be a draw, and I will be happy in that case!” the Franco-German tactician concluded.
