Prove yourselves, German stars told for French test
berlin — Germany coach Joachim Loew has told his side to prove themselves in Tuesday’s international friendly against France as part of the defending champions’ preparations for next year’s World Cup.
Security will be tight in Cologne as the friendly takes place almost two years to the day since the Paris terror attacks of November 13 2015, when 130 people were killed and over 400 were injured. On that night, three suicide bombers set off devices at the Stade de France during a France v Germany friendly and the shocked German players had to spend the night at the stadium during a security crackdown.
However, all the pre-match focus in Cologne is on the football with Loew having held back first-choice midfielders Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos from Friday’s goalless draw against England at Wembley.
Loew treated his squad to a speedboat ride down the Thames after holding England at Wembley, but the players were all business in a high-tempo training session in Cologne on Sunday. Loew has said he will again field an experimental line-up. “I want to see if certain players can prove themselves against the best,” said Loew. The Germans came through their World Cup qualifying campaign with a perfect record of ten wins.
To ensure they face stiff tests before the World Cup kicks off in Moscow next June, the Germans will also face Spain and Brazil in friendlies next March after their final match of 2017 against the French. France are missing Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, who picked up a thigh strain in Friday’s 2-0 win over Wales, while Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba are also sidelined.Germany are without Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng. —