JOGI LOEW CLAIMED squad depth will be the key to future success for Germany even if some players are unhappy on the bench.
In the lead-up to Germany’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Ireland tonight, Bastian Schweinsteiger has stood by his claims of a lack of team-spirit in Loew’s squad at Euro 2012, where he felt players on the bench did not provide 100 percent support to those on the field.
Loew has revealed he has spoken to Schweinsteiger about the midfielder’s comments but does not agree there is a problem.
“Of course it is difficult to sustain an excellent spirit over seven weeks and friction does arise which you don’t get in Bundesliga clubs, but the atmosphere on the whole was good,” Loew said ”Maybe not as good as it was in 2010 (at the World Cup in South Africa).
“Things were a little different then, with some players perhaps not pleased to be on the bench but they still gave the team their full support.”
Having reached the semi-finals of the past two major tournaments, plus the final of Euro 2008, Germany are considered a genuine contender to win the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. And Loew believes his deep squad will be crucial if Germany are to qualify for Brazil and then challenge for the trophy.
“Since 2008 we have had more and more candidates and this increases the competition for places,” Loew said. ”Competition for places is necessary because, in the national team, nobody’s place is cast in stone.”
