GERMANY’S summer of footballing failure will not be preying on their minds as they kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign tonight, coach Joachim Loew has promised.
“The players have put their disappointments behind them and there is real hunger for success,” Loew said. “That goes for the coaching staff as well.”
Their troubles began when Bayern Munich lost the Champions League final to Chelsea in their own Allianz Arena; the national side then lost to Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.
Philipp Lahm returns, but at right back as opposed to left back, with Marcel Schmelzer keeping his place on the left side of defence and Jerome Boateng dropping to the bench.
Manuel Neuer will come in for Ron-Robert Zieler in goal, while Lukas Podolski is likely to reclaim his spot on the left wing. Another returning player, Per Mertesacker, will find his path to a centre back berth blocked by Holger Badstuber and Mats Hummels.
However, there is no return for the unfit Bastian Schweinsteiger, leaving Toni Kroos to continue alongside Sami Khedira in the deep-lying midfield positions. Miroslav Klose will retain his place up front in light of Mario Gomezs ankle injury.
Faroe Islands, meanwhile, are expected to make a couple of changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Nordic rivals Iceland in a friendly in August. Aging goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen should make way for the younger Gunnar Nielsen.
Right back Jonas Tor Naes and centre backs Rogvi Baldvinsson and Odmar Faero should fill in at centre of the defence.
