Loew: No place for complacency

By foxsports
Published

After 10 wins in 10 qualifying games for next year's European Championship, Germany coach Joachim Loew hopes his team isn't about to get complacent.

''Ten straight wins in qualifying is something very positive,'' Loew told the German news agency dapd on Monday. ''But I warn of complacency, overconfidence is not appropriate.''

The coach said he would try out new tactics and players in several positions in the upcoming friendlies against Ukraine and the Netherlands, as he tries to keep things fresh ahead of next year's tournament.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is absent because of a broken collarbone but Loew said Germany has enough talent to compensate for his absence.

''It's always a good feeling when Bastian is in team,'' Loew said. ''He can always take on responsibility. He is the emotional leader. He sets the pace, the rhythm, he has a good influence on the team.

''But we have grown into a top team over the last year of two we can replace him, at least in these two games. I say thank God the injury happened now and not in April or May shortly before the Euros.''

Germany plays Ukraine in Kiev on Friday and then faces old rival Netherlands in Hamburg on Tuesday.

Loew said that in one of the games he will play a formation with two strikers, rather than using only one as he normally does, and that he might pair Mesut Oezil and Mario Goetze together in midfield.

Real Madrid's Oezil and Dortmund's Goetze both play as attacking midfielders. The 19-year-old Goetze has been in outstanding form in the Bundesliga.

Captain Philipp Lahm has been given a rest for the two games and Loew said he would try out Dennis Aogo and Marcel Schmelzer in Lahm's position of left back.

Loew said he had to plans to return Lahm to right back.

Third goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler of Hannover will play at least one half in Ukraine, but Manuel Neuer will be in goal against the Netherlands, Loew said.

Loew said about 30 players make up the core of his team and that he doesn't expect any newcomers for the European Championship.