Injuries, defence, haunt Germany
Berlin, May 17: Germany head for the World Cup finals with the footballmad country desperate for a fourth title, but with defensive frailties, offform players and injuries hampering the bid.
The Germans last lifted the World Cup in 1990 and after nearly eight years in charge, time is running out for coach Joachim Loew to win a major title before his contract expires in 2016.
Euro 2004 was the last time Germany failed to reach the last four of either a European Championships or a World Cup. But Loew has key problems to resolve if his team are to mount a prolonged challenge in Brazil, where they start in Group G against Portugal, Ghana and United States, now managed by his predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann.
Loew was asked to be Klinsmann’s assistant in charge of tactics and strategy at the 2006 World Cup after they met on a training course.
Having succeeded Klinsmann as head coach after the tournament, Loew steered Germany to the Euro 2008 final, then the 2010 World Cup semifinals, where they swept aside England and Argentina before succumbing to eventual winners Spain.
Despite his impressive record of 70 wins in 103 internationals in charge, Loew himself admitted, “the clock is ticking” for the Germans.
The team is known for its powerful attack. But there is concern about who will play up front in his 4- 2- 3- 1 formation.
First- choice striker Miroslav Klose is just one goal off equalling the record 15 World Cup goals set by Brazil’s Ronaldo, having scored five goals in 2002, five in 2006 and four in 2010.
But the 35- year- old is injury prone and with Mario Gomez having been left out of Loew’s extended provisional squad, 21year- old Kevin Volland of Hoffenheim is the only other out- and- out striker in the squad.