The once-mighty national team of Germany are looking to bounce back on the international stage once again.
Having been relegated from the top tier of the Nations League and also suffering an early World Cup exit last year, coach Joachim Loew has opted to rebuild the Germany side in 2019.
For that reason he has axed experienced Bayern Munich trio Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Mueller, while Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil has also retired from international soccer.
Fans will get to see the new-look Germany in action for the first time when they host Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday (9.45pm) in preparation for Sunday’s Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands.
NEXT STEP: Leon Goretzka. Photo: Supplied
With only two survivors, Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos, from the World Cup-winning team in 2014 in his squad, Loew says: “We have had a think since the World Cup.
“We need to be quicker, more ambitious and more dynamic. We lost all that at the World Cup and our game became quite predictable.”
He adds: “Some players need to take the next step. “[Leon] Goretzka and [Joshua] Kimmich are guys with clear ideas, ambition and opinions.”
With Hummels and Boateng not in defence anymore, the German manager adds: “[Niklas] Suele has to take on responsibility, we expect more from him now.”
Wales face Trinidad and Tobago in Wednesday’s other friendly at 9.45pm.