Loew has too much midfield talent
BERLIN: Germany head coach Joachim Loew appears to have a luxury problem to solve before this summer’s Euro 2020 finals in deciding which midfield stars to leave out.
Germany’s midfield axis of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz shone in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Iceland in a World Cup qualifier behind in Duisburg.
The midfield quartet was at the heart of an impressive display against Iceland as Germany redeemed themselves for last November’s humiliating 6-0 drubbing by Spain.
But Loew has plenty of other choices in the middle.
Regular starter Toni Kroos was absent with a groin injury.
Jonas Hofmann was in the squad but is now in quarantine after his positive Covid-19 test almost derailed the game.
And, for his Germany farewell at the Euros, Loew could even recall Bayern Munich veteran Thomas Mueller.
Loew has targeted three straight wins from their opening qualifiers with an away match against Romania today and North Macedonia in Duisburg on Wednesday still to come.
When Real Madrid star Kroos returns, Loew will face questions about who to leave out at the Euro finals.
“Why should Toni Kroos have to fear for his place?
“That’s a world-class player,” Loew replied perplexed when asked if Kroos should be concerned.
Loew, who will step down after 15 years in charge in July, is desperate to end on the high of winning the Euro 2020 title.
Germany have drawn world champions France, holders Portugal and Hungary in their group.
Having demanded a “rigorous and merciless” display, Loew heaped praise on his midfield for helping deliver the morale-boosting win over Iceland.
“They moved well and all of them were very secure on the ball, that was a plus for us and had a positive effect on our game,” Loew added.
However, with Loew also mulling the recall of Bayern Munich’s Mueller, the head coach needs to create space in midfield.
One option is to move Kimmich to right back.
“We’ll have to think about that again in May,” said Loew of his squad selection for the European Championship from June 11-July 11.