Interview: To win World Cup twice is a magical thought: Joachim Loew (1)

Joachim Loew's World Champion team will play two important games this friday and next Monday enroute the 2016 European Championship in France. In an interview with Xinhua, he talked about his ambition of not only making it to France, but also winning the next World Cup.

Xinhua: Mr. Loew, you mentioned several times that the German "World Cup" team has to reinvent itself. What do you mean exactly by this?

Loew: It's a kind of development process we are going through as a team. It does not focus entirely on the European Championship in France 2016. Like when we set up a four-year plan in advance of the 2014 World Cup - it is a matter of long term planning, meaning, we start now with what will be seen as the mission to defend our World Cup title in Russia in 2018. There are several questions we have to find answers for.

Xinhua: What are the most important ones?

Loew: How is football developing worldwide? We need to catch up on trends and take a close look at them. Then it is important to find answers. On the one hand in respect of your own game, on the other to be prepared for what our opponents are likely to conjure up - and in addition it might be helpful to develop own trends.

Xinhua: What kind of answers will there be?

Loew: One conclusion is that stronger teams face more or less the same problem. Opponents are well-organized nowadays, their game has a solid structure, they are extremely fit and excellent tactically. Stronger teams face a solid defense and one has to find answers. It is so to speak a question of life or death.

Xinhua: It sounds as if this is not only some kind of problem for a World Champion team?

Loew: "Yes, it is a general problem for the leading nations in football."

Xinhua: Would the so called "crowbar" be an option to beat opponents using that strategy? Meaning, attack like mad until you eventually break through?

Loew: That in my mind would be the biggest mistake possible. And it is the biggest challenge at the same time. So no crowbar, no uncontrolled attacks. The solution will be to find solutions in your own game, creative ones and not pure power trying to break through a brick wall with your head.

Xinhua: Long passes or something like that is nothing you like?

Loew: No, that is nothing you will see in our game as a strategy. That topic is important in football in all parts of the World. Nowadays home games are tough for many teams as they have to find solutions facing a defense wall or a team parking the bus. We are a team that can dominate a game and wants to have the ball and do positive things. It is vital to be well-structured in the last third of the pitch, the last pass is the key to the goal. We need to improve our game beginning with the passes from the back - we need to be more clear in that.

Xinhua: Your team had a fair amount of problems after the World Cup - is that something that makes you concerned?

Loew: It is a fact that our game was far from that of a world champion. But that is a normal reaction to a certain extent. Immediately after the 2014 final I talked to the German football association boss Wolfgang Niersbach. We were all happy about the victory, but it crossed my mind that we face a difficult time as far as the next years are concerned.

Xinhua: We all saw you were right.

Loew: Maybe the passion to win games is waning to a certain extent. It is not a matter of general motivation - it is just a case of taking a break in mind and body. But I am convinced that all the players are extremely motivated to write new chapters in our story. We are a bit behind schedule, but are strong enough to catch up. We are determined to do so and win the next games to qualify for France.

Xinhua: Is this season - the one before EURO 2016 France - any different to the post World Cup one when your players did not have a long break to recover nor for the whole of pre-season training?

Loew: Now all - despite some injuries - players could this time go through a well-balanced full preparation - and can start with a clear mind. That is a big difference in comparison to last season. And I am sure we will do good against Poland and Scotland in our important games. 2016 France is a big goal for us.

Xinhua: Could you tell us more about what you consider to be a "World Champion performance" - is it only the performance on the pitch you think about?

Loew: I'm convinced that the reputation of a team and of a country is not only a matter of how successful you are on the pitch. It is much more complex. Especially when I am abroad, I often hear there is more to being a popular team or country. We are a team that stands for a lot like successful ethnic integration or one's behavior off the pitch and that you show yourselves to be a real team with a real team spirit.

Xinhua: Speaking about tactics - at the 2014 World Cup the German team used a four man back line. Is that what you regard as the best solution or would be a back line of three with maybe more options in midfield a possibility?

Loew: The system is not the most important question - meaning a back line of four or three. More important, I think is the tactical direction. What I don't want is a football based on the motto: Something will happen when we get the ball into the box. Therefore football is not a game of chance. For us, our task is to find the ideal solutions.

Xinhua: Meaning?

Loew: It is a case of thinking about how to launch attacks with fewer players rather than the majority of players - to have more possibilities in midfield. That will be especially important against teams using an extreme form of pressing. Maybe this is the big task for us having a goalkeeper like Manuel Neuer who is to some extent like a field player. Meaning both systems are what we should be prepared for. As a world champion you can not afford to rest on your laurels - no team can. The task is open your eyes and develop.

Xinhua: Now that Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker have retired, what will be you biggest challenge regarding the team's new structure?

Loew: We have two different groups in our squad. There are the young players that have already won the World Cup but who have not reached their peak yet like Hummels, Mueller, Boateng, Oezil and Kroos. Then there are players like Marco Reus, who missed the World Cup due to injury or Julian Draxler who was among the World Cup squad, but did not play. And the experienced ones like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer who can close the gap that the retirements have left. I am not concerned that we will have problems regarding the new structure. Hummels, Boateng and Kroos are meanwhile on a level where they can take responsibility for the team.

Xinhua: Let us talk about a certain position and new contenders that are in your focus on the way to France and Russia like Emre Can (Liverpool) who is a newcomer in your squad for the qualifying group games against Poland and Scotland?

Loew: He is a possibility for the right back position but is as well an alternative for a defensive midfield position. I like his game and his technique - he has a good feel for the game. He knows he can improve his speed - but he is still young and has potential to develop.

Xinhua: What do you think about Bastian Schweinsteige's move to Manchester United?

Loew: When we talked about it - Bastian called me in advance - I had the feeling he was desperate for new pastures. There was no real need to leave Bayern but it was a challenge Bastian wanted to take to get new impulses. Everyone knows what he means for any team when he is fully fit. He is a strategic thinking leader who gives a game balance, his fighting spirit and ambition are outstanding. I think it was important for him to look for new adventures.

Xinhua: Schweinsteiger (31) has reached a certain age. Is it a possibility to not to let him play in every game?

Loew: That is something I have to consider as a coach. We don't need him in every friendly. I need him in important games. I know then that he will take responsibility and directs our game. His will to win is as I said outstanding. (mo