Loew' s need for speed

The 2014 World Champion and 2016 European Championship favorite Germany is in trouble? "Nonsense," says German head coach Joachim Loew, brushing aside criticism voiced by fans and pundits back home.

Despite his confidence in his squad' s ability, in advance of their last group match against underdogs Northern Ireland, the 56-year-old is looking for the key to success in modern football and is desperately trying to get speed in his team' s game. Now he is about to change his team.

In the last few days, Joachim Loew has been through all sorts of discussions, some are about his defense, midfield, his first choice striker and the leader-problem. His answer in every case was a broad smile while he was stirring a small spoon in a tiny cup of expresso. The game of many teams at Euro 2016 so far might be seen as a confirmation for Loew, as many teams are using rather defensive style operating with two back lines leaving less space for attackers. At least in his mind, Loew knows how to answer the challenge. "I want flexible players, attacking with speed. That is the only way you can score goals," Loew said.

But that' s exactly Loew's problem. Imagination and reality seems to be lacking in Germany' s game. His trouble area number one is down the flanks and then in the center up front where the team has lacked speed and ideas. So much so that Loew will change his attacking line up. The defense (Jonas Hector/1. FC Cologne, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels/both Bayern Munich and Benedikt Hoewedes/FC Schalke 04) will remain untouched. So will his midfield (Toni Kroos/Real Madrid, Sami Khedira/Juventus Turin). Up front the malfunctioning "false nine" Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich) could move to the left flank, Andre Schuerrle (or Leroy Sane/FC Schalke 04) will do the job on the right side while Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich) could be the center-man.

In their last group match, the Germans contest the top spot in Group C with Poland (against the Ukraine). It all depends on the result of both games as both are equal in points but Germany has a narrow advantage when it comes to goal difference. Nothing to worry about says Loew. Despite discussions at home, Loew is convinced "we will win the game and we will win the group" .

Loew' s confidence is nothing artificial. Winning the 2014 World Cup and reaching the semifinals at his last four major tournaments, including the European Championships, "have given him a big portion of self-confidence and belief in his own abilities" as German national team director Oliver Bierhoff has discovered. "He does not feel under pressure when the rest of the nation is criticizing him. There is no burden on his shoulders," says the former striker who scored the "golden goal" in the 1996 final.

While under "friendly fire" at home, Loew is trying to be somebody his players can rely upon. When it comes to the youngsters in his squad such as Sane, Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund) and Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), he, from the very beginning, has offered them an opportunity but made no promises. As for his world champions such as Mesut Oezil (Arsenal), Sami Khedira (Juventus) and Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), he is acting like a caring father defending them against cold winds from outside.

All three have been under attack from German media since the tournament started in France. "I know Benedikt Hoewedes is not a tornado along the flanks, but I do know what he can deliver for the team. He is a reliable figure in the back," Loew said about the German right back.

As for Oezil, Loew mentioned his quality in midfield over and over again. "He has developed into a world class player and has improved at Arsenal. Mesut Oezil will be of great value for the team when the France tournament proceeds," Loew pointed out. When it comes to Sami Khedira, the coach is happy about the midfielder' s experience and ability in man-to-man duel as well as his ability to support the attacking game.

Everyone knows where his place is. In Loew' s world team spirit is created when everybody accepts the strategy. "Our youngsters have quality, everybody knows that. But it is a matter of finding the right time for them. To be part of the national team causes a sort of special pressure. Additionally it is their first major tournament. They have to adapt to the game' s speed and deal with expectations," Loew said. Endit