Germany boss Loew embraces World Cup favourites tag

BERLIN: Joachim Loew is comfortable with Germany carrying the favourites tag for next year's World Cup, but the head coach has a few areas to strengthen before his team's title defence in Russia.

England or Spain are lurking in pot two as potential group-stage opponents for the world champions in Friday's draw at Moscow.

Loew talked about the 2018 finals as being "the hardest tournament so far" of his 12-year reign in charge, because the Germans will be the team to beat.

"I am completely relaxed and don't have any sleepless nights," insisted Loew after a 2-2 draw against France in their final friendly of 2017 a fortnight ago.

Germany are in rude health and unbeaten in their last 21 internationals, dating back to the defeat by France in the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

"We have worked on building an incredibly good base. We know what we can do, so I am not nervous anymore about our preparations," he added.

Loew's goal is to arrive in Russia with every position covered, but he needs key players to return from injury and to find understudies for wing-backs Jonas Hector and Joshua Kimmich.

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Marco Reus has been out since May with a knee injury, while captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is not expected back until January at the earliest after fracturing his foot.

Juventus defender Benedikt Hoewedes and Dortmund winger Andre Schuerrle, both of whom played in the 2014 final victory over Argentina, are out of form.

However, he is not short of options, especially in midfield.

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan is back fit after a serious knee injury while Mario Goetze, whose extra-time goal won the final three years ago, is shining in a struggling Dortmund team after recovering from a metabolic disorder.

Loew's gamble to rest all of his 2014 stars and take an inexperienced squad to the Confederations Cup in Russia earlier this year paid off when they beat Chile 1-0 to win the tournament.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka and forward Lars Stindl forced their way into Loew's World Cup plans with strong displays.