Passion in friendlies
> Low expects gutsy display from world champions Germany against Spain and Brazil
COACH JOACHIM LOW looks for passion and general manager Oliver Bierhoff warned not to rest on past merits ahead of today’s gathering of Germany’s national team for prestigious friendlies against Spain and Brazil.
The world champions face Spain in Dusseldorf on Friday before a Berlin date with Brazil four days later.
Low has nominated a large squad of 26 for the only two tests before he announces his provisional World Cup squad on May 15. The final 23-man squad for the finals in Russia must be named by June 3.
Mario Goetze and Andre Schuerrle, who connected for the 1-0 winner against Argentina in the 2014 final, have been left out – which shows that the team leadership is only looking at players in their best shape.
Still absent owing to injury is captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Marco Reus was also not picked in his latest comeback.
Low’s squad is made up of eight members of the 2014 squad and 17 who helped Germany win the Confederations Cup last year in Russia.
The coach has named the friendlies “just the right benchmark” and added: “I want to see with how much passion we go to work” and how the players react to his orders.
Bierhoff added: “I expect every player to use these two games to cement his position.”
The general manager also warned that Germany cannot rest on its success from the past in Russia because “there are other strong teams with a high motivation.
“We are starting at zero. If we want to be successful we can’t let down,” he said.
While Germany are among the favourites, Bierhoff warned that “a conclusion we are dominating the world with the young Confed cup team, what can stop us?” would be fatal. We can not make this mistake.”
Low said it was too early for final decisions on his final squad for the World Cup where Germany play Sweden, South Korea and Mexico in the group stage. But the signals are clear for the likes of Goetze and Schuerrle, while Low is allowing Reus a little more time in his comeback from a severe knee injury.
Looking at Neuer, who has not played since spring owing to a foot fracture, Low remains upbeat.
“He is convinced he will make it. I trust him and hope that he can return to full training soon and play a few games. A goalkeeper doesn’t need that much time,” – dpa