Former Arsenal player Per Mertesacker faces backlash for his choice of words during an interview on ZDF.
Football powerhouse Spain delivers an impressive show against Italy in a highly-anticipated match, with ex-World Cup champions Per Mertesacker and Christoph Kramer offering expert analysis on ZDF. Moderator Jochen Breyer issues a friendly reminder to the duo to avoid a certain term during the live broadcast.
Mertesacker, in his pre-match analysis, pointed out that Spain had shifted their playing style due to a lack of top-tier talent, now prioritizing ball control. Breyer then reminded Mertesacker and Kramer about the controversial term "Spielermaterial," frequently used by the experts. "I know some viewers might find this term disconcerting since people aren't mere material. Perhaps we can use 'squad' or 'player potential' in the future," Breyer suggested. Mertesacker and Kramer, both 2014 World Cup champions, nodded in agreement.
Online viewers debated the necessity of Breyer's intervention, as the term "Spielermaterial" was chosen as the Unword of the 20th century by a panel of linguists in 2000, symbolizing the tendency to judge people based on their perceived value.
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente remained oblivious to these discussions, focusing instead on his team's win over the defending champions. "We still have room for improvement," said the 63-year-old coach, hinting at a possible challenge to title contenders like France, England, or Germany. "Every player has untapped potential that we aim to unlock," added the Spanish coach.
For 90 minutes, Spain maintained virtually complete control over Italy. De la Fuente praised his team, stating, "This might be the best game under my leadership so far. Italy underperformed because we were outstanding."
