Loew bloods young guns for Confed

BERLIN – Germany coach Joachim Loew is aiming to blood some younger players at next year’s Confederations Cup with an eye on defending the World Cup in 2018.

“I would like to use the Confederations Cup as a tournament based on the future,” said Loew, hinting that some of his senior players would be rested for the competition.

“For the Confederations Cup, not all our players will be available. That’s why I see that tournament based on the future, one in which I’ll be able to bring in young players.”

Loew has already brought in three inexperienced players who lost to Brazil on penalties in the final of the Rio Olympics for tomorrow’s friendly against Finland and World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo on Sunday.

Attacking midfielders Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Max Meyer (Schalke 04) and Hoffenheim defender Niklas Suele “will definitely have the chance of playing on Wednesday”, Loew said.

The Moenchengladbach run-out against the Finns will be Manchester United reject Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 121st – and final – appearance for die Mannschaft.

For his swansong, Schweinsteiger will captain the side against Finland, Loew saying he would name his captain for Norway on Thursday, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer having worn the skipper’s armband during the European championships.

“I want to first speak with the team, I want to announce it to them,” he said. –