Why Kahn isn't playing

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Germany play Argentina for a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Berlin on Friday.



Kahn attacks Klinsmann over keeper debate
25 June 2006
by Reuters

Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn has said Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann still owed him an explanation for replacing him as first-choice goalkeeper for the FIFA World Cup™, though he did not expect to get one.

Kahn told German magazine Der Spiegel he would never accept Klinsmann's decision to replace him with Arsenal's Jens Lehmann as the country's number one keeper, and said sitting on the bench during the FIFA World Cup was "not pleasant".

"Normally, I'd have expected a thorough explanation (from Klinsmann)," he was quoted as saying on Sunday. "But as there hasn't been one up until now, there probably won't be one."

Television coverage of Germany's 2-0 second round victory over Sweden on Saturday was punctuated with shots of a grim-faced Kahn watching the match from the bench as elated German fans celebrated in the stands.

"Until recently, I was firmly convinced I would be playing (in the FIFA World Cup)," he said. "Every walk to the bench has been tough. I watch the game, try to form an impression of the action and then disappear into the changing room as fast as possible."

Kahn said the only reason he had heard for why he was dropped was that Lehmann was supposedly playing a 'tick' better.

"I'm sorry, but do you the replace the one who's been the number one for years when he's playing consistently because another keeper is supposed to be a 'tick' better? That's no justification for me," he said.

"I've been playing right at the top level for the past two years, I've done well in my Champions league games, won the German league and German Cup twice, and have immense tournament experience," Kahn told the magazine.

"There was actually no reason to change the number one."

Germany play Argentina for a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Berlin on Friday.