Midfielder Clemens Fritz says the Germany team want to beat Portugal in Thursday's Euro 2008 quarter-final to protest against UEFA's decision to ban coach Joachim Loew from the sidelines, the AFP reported.
Loew has been banished from the sidelines by European football's governing body for the last eight clash after losing his appeal on Wednesday against his one-match ban for being sent off in Monday's 1-0 win over Austria in Vienna.
The German boss and Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger were both sent to the stands by Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez just before half-time for arguing with the fourth official.
"We are not at all happy at the ruling," said Werder Bremen midfielder Fritz.
"We are united, we play for Germany and we play for our coach and we want to express our disappointment and do it on the pitch by beating Portugal.
"For us players, we find it hard to follow the decision, it wasn't a big issue.
"We would want to have everyone on the bench, it is a disappointment, but we can't appeal the decision anyway."
Loew will not be allowed any contact with his players from 30 minutes before kick-off until 30 minutes after the game.