Germany's national soccer players Per Mertesacker, from left, Jerome Boateng and Sami Khedira attend a training session in Santo Andre near Porto Seguro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. Germany play in group G of the 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (The Associated Press)
FORTALEZA, Brazil – Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is mystified as to why some teams, including his own, seem to run into problems in their second matches at big tournaments.
Already at this World Cup, Italy lost to Costa Rica 1-0 after defeating England 2-1 in its opener; the Netherlands had to come from behind to edge Australia 3-2 after demolishing defending champion Spain 5-1 in its opener; and Brazil was held 0-0 by Mexico.
Germany has twice lost its second match in recent tournaments.
The Germans opened Group G by defeating Portugal 4-0 and next play Ghana on Saturday.
Khedira says he believes it's "a mental thing" and Germany coach Joachim Loew also thinks it's "psychological."
Loews says "we have to pay a lot of attention against Ghana."
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