Joachim Loew has stated that he is extremely disappointed with the fact that Germany conceded too late goals to suffer a 2-1 defeat against United States in recent friendly. Germany were seen as overwhelming favourites to secure a victory, which would have been an ideal preparation for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers. Since winning the World Cup 2014, Germany have been on an inconsistent run of form. This form has seen them concede the top position in their group to Poland, who have a slender one-point advantage. Scotland are not too far behind and they trail Germany by just two points.

This puts the team in a precarious position and in need of a convincing win in the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar. Germany are expected to win it quite comfortably, but an ideal preparation would be to get the win over United States. This, however, has not happened after the Germans suffered a shock 3-2 defeat. Despite taking advantage in the game, they were unable to hold the position for much longer. Mario Gotze gave the team a lead in the 12th minute but they let in poor goals to lose the game. The result, though, is a huge bonus for opposition manager Jurgen Klinsmann and his men. Continue reading

The German national team manager Joachim Loew failed to criticise his players after the poor 3-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina in a friendly match. Germany were coming into the match with many rumours about the future of the manager Joachim Loew. Joachim Loew managed to guide Germany into the semifinals of a major tournament for the third consecutive tournament. However, he was unable to get them past the finishing line yet again after Germany fell at the hands of Italy in the semi-final of the Euro 2012. This has led to rumours suggesting that Germany will be looking for a replacement prior to the start of the World Cup qualification rounds.

The rumours intensified once more after Germany lost 3-1 at the hands of Argentina in a recent friendly match. However, the manager Joachim Loew has said that the red card issued to the goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler host the pivotal point in the match. He has said that Germany would not have lost the match had it not been for the red card. Ron-Robert Zieler received his marching orders after the hour mark. Despite the loss, Loew has said that he is satisfied with the performance of his players in the match.

“We started very well for 20 or 25 minutes and then the red card meant we were chasing the game. Then there was the own goal and it was difficult for us after that against class players like (Lionel) Messi, (Gonzalo) Higuain or (Angel) di Maria. We made a few tactical mistakes, but the players gave everything. It is hard to get at them early when you have a man less. We managed it in the first 20 minutes, but not afterwards,” said Joachim Loew after the match. Germany will be starting the World Cup qualifications against the Faroe Islands.

Joachim Loew’s record as Germany manager is impressive. Since taking the top job after the 2006 World Cup he has led them to second place in Euro 2008 and third in 2010’s World Cup. He goes into the European Championships this year with a guarantee of job security but the target is clear. The only way he will be able to further improve his reputation and to satisfy the German public is to bring home the trophy with victory in Kiev on July 1.

Germany qualified with 10 wins from 10 and go into the tournament as one of the favourites and many people’s tip to triumph in Eastern Europe. The pressure is on Loew though, having performed well in recent years the German’s are awaiting their first trophy since 1996. 16 years of hurt may not seem to bad for most nations, but for Germany 16 years is too long to wait for a trophy.

The President of the German FA, the DFB has fully backed both Loew and team manager Oliver Bierhoff describing them as “the best pair possible”. “they both do excellent jobs and so we see no reason to change a winning formula. If we suffer disappointment we are strong enough to stand up and face it”.

To get to the final Germany will have to get past both Fernando Torres‘s Spain and the Portugal side epitomised by Cristiano Ronaldo.

His record of 52 wins, 13 draws and 11 defeats in 76 internationals over the last six years compares favourably to Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts who took Germany to World Cup glory in 1990 and European glory in 1996 respectively. Should Loew join them in attaining a major honour for his country he will no doubt be seen as one of the best they have ever had.

Going into the Euros they have been seen as one of the favourites for a long time, but defeat at home to France in February exposed some defensive problems that could be their undoing. One thing is for certain going into any major tournament though, don’t write the Germans off.