Loew’s youth policy paying off for Stindl
Moenchengladbach captain is the tournament’s unlikely top-scorer for now
Lars Stindl is undoubtedly the winner in regards to Joachim Loew’s decision to leave Germany’s World Cup winning stars at home and blood fringe players at the Confederations Cup.
After the first two rounds of matches, Borussia Moenchengladbach’s captain is the tournament’s unlikely top-scorer in Russia.
Stindl netted in both Monday’s 3-2 opening win over Australia and Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Chile — a good return from his four shots on goal from both Group B games.
“No, I haven’t taken a glance at it,” he modestly admitted when asked if he had looked at the list of top-scorers — with his name ahead of goal kings Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Hernandez.
Had Germany boss Loew decided to bring his full strength team to Russia, it is unlikely Stindl would be here.
In the last few years, the 28-year-old was always overlooked by Loew despite eyecatching performances for Hanover 96, then Gladbach, whom he joined in 2015.
However, Stindl’s chance came when Loew announced he was not taking his established stars to the Confed Cup.
Stindl pushed his way into Loew’s plans with a series of strong performances, netting 18 goals for Gladbach, including two against Celtic in the Champions League last season.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Stindl has seized his chance to impress at an international tournament with both hands. His rise is exactly what Loew wanted to see in Russia: new names stepping up so established stars, like Toni Kroos or Mesut Ozil, must fight for places at next year’s World Cup.
Against Chile on Thursday, Stindl put in a strong performance in Kazan.
He worked tirelessly to offer a platform on attack and calmed German nerves when Alexis Sanchez gave Chile an early lead.
With half-time approaching, he timed his run into the area so when Jonas Hector put in a low, hard cross it was Stindl’s outstretched boot which claimed a classic centre forward’s goal to equalise.
“He is a very refined player with incredible game intelligence and good orientation in space,” said Germany boss Loew.
“He has absolutely us of his qualities.
“He is quiet and self-assured, shows no signs of nervousness, is a very good personality and a very good player,” added Loew.
Normally a box-to-box midfielder, Stindl has been a revelation in his new role up front for convinced the Germans. “I put him right up front, because he’s great at defending the ball and passing it on and he often broke through the defensive lines,” explained Loew.
Unlike Germany’s motormouth star Thomas Mueller, another big name missing in Russia, Stindl is not a talker.
“It worked quite well,” was Stindl’s modest appraisal after his goal against Chile dug the Germans out of a sizeable hole.
Likewise, he was far from gushing after scoring the opener against Australia in Monday’s 3-2 win in Sochi.