Germany coach Loew breaks silence, reveals squad

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-29 21:10:53|Editor: xuxin
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BERLIN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Germany head coach Joachim Loew has presented his analysis of his team's surprising World Cup exit, and named his squad for the upcoming international matches against France and Peru at an official press conference at Munich's Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

57 days after the defending champions surprisingly exited the World Cup at the group stage, head coach Loew spoke publicly about the failure for the first time, and admitted that mistakes were made during the tournament in Russia.

The 58-year-old noted that his biggest mistake was that his team continued to play a possession-based style of play.

"I thought we were going to get through the group stage with our dominating style of play. I wanted to evolve the possession-based game and bring it to perfection. Instead, I should have prepared the team as I did in 2014, when we had a balance between offense and defense," Loew acknowledged.

The coach also admitted that after having won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, a certain level of complacency had crept into the team. "We were lacking in passion and enthusiasm, and that's what you need to win a tournament."

As a result of Germany's early elimination in Russia, the coaching staff will also be shaken up, with co-assistant coach Thorsten Schneider leaving the team to assume a scouting position within the German Football Association.

In terms of the playing staff, Loew is keen to have a blend of young and experienced players. Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has not been selected, with Loew instead giving the likes of Paris-Saint Germain's Thilo Kehrer, Hoffenheim's Nico Schulz and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz the chance to shine.

Germany will host France for the first round of the UEFA Nations League on September 6 before Die Mannschaft take on Peru three days later.

Germany's squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (FC Bayern), Matthias Ginter (Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (FC Bayern), Thilo Kehrer (PSG), Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern), Antonio Rudiger (FC Chelsea), Nico Schulz (TSG Hoffenheim), Niklas Sule (FC Bayern), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (PSG), Leon Goretzka (FC Bayern), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Thomas Muller (FC Bayern), Nils Petersen (SC Freiburg), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sane (Manchester City), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

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