Loew ropes in young blood

– German coach Joachim Loew admitted making several mistakes that contributed to their World Cup debacle, but opted for only a handful of changes to the squad for next month’s internationals, saying a balance of experience and youth was necessary.

Loew said yesterday that Germany, who were condemned to their earliest World Cup exit in 80 years after being eliminated following the group stage, should never have played their possession game in a knockout tournament as teams counter-attacked.

Among the players called up for the Nations League game against France next week nd the friendly against Peru three days later, are returning internationals Leroy Sane, Nils Petersen and Jonathan Tah as well as newcomers Kai Havertz, who is 19, Thilo Kehrer (21) and 25-year-old Nico Schulz.

Midfielders Sami Khedira and Sebastian Rudy was dropped. – Reuters

Munich