SOCHI: Under-fire Germany star Sami Khedira on Thursday laughed off a cheeky offer of early flights home for the holders from a Swedish reporter ahead of their crunch World Cup clash.

Holders Germany will be under intense pressure in the Group F clash in Sochi on Saturday against Sweden after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their first match of the tournament.

The Juventus midfielder kept his cool when a Swedish tabloid reporter handed him a home-made return ticket for the entire German squad.

“I don’t think we will need that until July 16,” said the smiling Khedira.

The Germans are deadly serious ahead of the Swedish match, knowing a second loss will effectively send them home at the end of the group stages.

Despite calls to drop him, Khedira insists he can handle the pressure and shore up the German midfield, which was badly exposed by the Mexicans.

Ex-Germany stars Lothar Matthaeus and Stefan Effenberg said Khedira should be dropped after his woeful display.

“I have no problem with that at all, I can live with it,” said Khedira, referring to the criticism. “I know for myself that I did not play well.”

Khedira was often out of position in the defensive midfield when Mexico counter-attacked through the German ranks in the first half on Sunday.

“If the holes are as big as they were against Mexico, you’d need Usain Bolt and Carl Lewis to close the gaps — which we’re not,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2018