New German generation surpass expectations on road to final
Germany and their coach Joachim Low have already exceeded their expectations by advancing to tomorrow’s Confederations Cup final.
Low took mostly young and untried players to represent the World Cup winners in Russia, and rested several stars ahead of defending their title next year. This new German generation rewarded the faith of their coach – who set a goal of reaching the semi-finals – with a 4-1 win over Mexico on Thursday, with 22-year-old Leon Goretzka scoring twice.
A battle-tested Chile team awaits in St Petersburg as the next test in the German players’ international education.
“For us, [the results were] not so important,” team manager Oliver Bierhoff said after the semi-final win in Sochi, “but seeing how the players behave and how they perform in certain circumstances.”
The deep pool of German talent in Russia should concern those countries seeking to de throne the world champions. Low is without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, midfielder Toni Kroos, and forwards Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller and has suggested that up to four of his squad here could force their way into his World Cup plans. “Our team has learned a lot,” Low said. “That experience is going to help and stay with my players not only now, but throughout the years.”
Low picked players on Thursday from top clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Still, they need to experience the demands of playing together at a tournament against teams from outside Europe.
“These situations for young players are not necessarily something you can simulate in friendlies in November,” Low added in Sochi this week.