CHANGE OF GUARD

A young German team won the Confederations Cup with ease but Loew fell back on experienced players for their World Cup defence. But if their performance in the first game is anything to go by, they either need to up the ante or Loew needs to bring in fresh legs.

Mesut Ozil (left), Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller, who have been the backbone of Germany’s recent success, struggled against the Mexicans and lost the ball on numerous occasions. Loew will hope that they will pay back the faith he has showed in them.