Dhe question of the meaning of the controversial Turkey test answered Joachim Löw without any excitement. “Games like this are always there to see which individual player can strengthen the starting line-up in the near future,” said the national coach. Löw turns the originally unpopular appearance on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the national team and on RTL) in Cologne into an application competition for higher tasks. Three days later in the corona risk area in Kiev against the Ukraine (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on the ARD) and another 72 hours later against Switzerland, there is only one goal: the first victories in the Nations should absolutely League succeed.
“Now in autumn we are facing an unbelievable balancing act to solve the tricky tasks,” said Löw again about the division of his squad into the test game department and the point games group with the Bayern block who came later. The very special challenges in the Corona crisis require a new approach. “Until next year it will be a new and unfamiliar burden. We have never had a season like this. We have to make sure that the players are healthy and productive in the long term, ”said Löw. Therefore, all those responsible, including those in the clubs, should learn to rotate.
Only 300 spectators
The hope of the DFB that 9200 fans can come to the stadium with free tickets has not been fulfilled. In view of the infection situation in Cologne, the game may take place in front of a maximum of 300 spectators. Coaches and players don’t want to be influenced by it. “We give one hundred percent in every international match,” promised Kai Havertz, who has moved to England and who Löw has placed in the starting line-up. “Against Turkey is a good game to come back in and get to know the guys better. We are trying to win the game so that we can go into the two Nations League games with a good feeling, ”said the 21-year-old Chelsea professional.
The four-time world champion can only increase his radiance again through victories, which did not only fade with the corona crisis. Even before that, stadium pitches were empty at international matches, and TV ratings fluctuated. The DFB team had completely disappeared from the international stage for ten months because of Covid-19. The position of professional football is being questioned. Löw classified the restart in the hygiene bubble with two 1-1 games in the Nations League against Spain and Switzerland – at least belatedly – as a disappointment.
Löw’s plan
“In the beginning, I was very satisfied with many things,” said Löw in Cologne. But since 2018 there have been inadequacies that have made his team “lose the wages of their work”. “Maintaining control of the game and organization, improving efficiency in the end,” said Löw as potential for improvement. “Then we can beat almost anyone if we implement things that have been discussed.”
“Of course it’s difficult for the coaches with so little time. But everyone has to deal with that, “said DFB Director Oliver Bierhoff about the international trio:” It’s a challenge to have a team on the field that plays good and passionate football. “Löw will be a mix of newbies, players with previous players a few selection missions and send more experienced professionals onto the lawn. “Emre Can, Matthias Ginter, Antonio Rüdiger and Julian Draxler, who have been with us for a long time, should lead the new players and take responsibility”, announced Löw. The 27-year-old Draxler is allowed to act as captain like in the Confederation Cup 2017.
Too little training
Löw’s problem with this: In just one real team training session, he was only able to implement a few processes and consolidate tactical components. The national coach and his staff conveyed the game idea to the newcomers Mahmoud Dahoud (Dortmund), Jonas Hofmann and Florian Neuhaus (Mönchengladbach) through conversations and video sequences. “We want to give you a few solutions,” said Löw.
Bierhoff trusts the “very good quality” of the players and referred to existing automatisms: “Many know each other from the youth national teams. Even if they come from different clubs, they have fun very quickly and can also combine well on the pitch. ”Bernd Leno will represent captain Manuel Neuer in goal, who, like some other regulars, will be spared for the more important point games. Julian Brandt and Nico Schulz, who are currently suspended in Dortmund, are allowed to show themselves against Turkey. They continue to have Löw’s trust: “You can already grow into the roles in your club.” Bierhoff formulated the claim to the thrown together team: “They can show what they can do.”
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