Germany still far away from champion's style

 It could be seen in Joachim Loew's face watching from the sideline with pursed lips. Germany's last friendly in advance of the Euro 2016 was a rather disappointing one despite the 2-0 win over a poor Hungary.

The 56-year-old German head coach was painfully reminded of his team's weaknesses. The 2014 World Champion once again was unconvincing against a defensively-minded opponent like Hungary and failed to create enough chances.

A lot of work is still waiting the Germans before their tournament curtain raiser against Ukraine on June 12 in the northern French city of Lille. No reason for Loew to worry as the experienced coach knows quite well, things will change when the tournament starts. The question will have to be answered if the Germans manage to improve enough to win their first European title after 1996.

Now another week is left to get in shape. Next Tuesday the German 23-man squad, which contains 14 World Cup winners, will move to their tournament base camp in Evian. Loew and his players seem to be looking forward to a little break for body and mind. After an intense pre-tournament training camp his team appeared too sleepy and tired. The Hungary game was a last test of his tactical possibilities and Loew made six changes during the game. Adam Lang scored an own goal (39th) followed by Thomas Mueller's strike to double the lead 2-0 (63rd) which was scored from an off-side position.

Several of Loew's candidates couldn't deliver a satisfying performance such as Julian Draxler (VfL Wolfsburg) who provided too few impulses down the left flank. Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich) was the wrong choice as spearhead and was of more value when dropping back to midfield in the second half. Mario Gomez (Besiktas Istanbul) might be the better choice up front.

Benedikt Hoewedes was a solid defender on the right side but could not support the German attacking game enough. On top the German defense lacked consistency and tenacity both at the back and in midfield. Juventus Turin midfielder Sami Khedira is still not fully fit after injury and had to be substituted long before the final whistle. The German team attacking game will have to improve substantially. Today they failed to get behind the Hungarian defense, but still managed to win the first game for over a year without conceding a goal.

Loew for the moment will talk about the positive aspects. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United) played his first minutes after a three month injury break and was happy about his return.

"It was important for me to get back on the pitch, but I know there is still some work to do," the midfielder said.

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) proved he is more than a replacement in the role a German leader. The 2016 Champions League winner was a factor that could always inspire the German game. If Schweinsteiger is unable to play, Kroos is ready to take over and more. Loew's team needs Kroos world class overview of the game.

"We've seen several things we have to readjust. Today I wanted to see several players in different positions and try out further options," Loew said. "The team was not as fresh as we would like them to be. But next week things will be different."

According to Loew the Hungary game showed "that we have to be patient in games like against teams parking the bus with five or six men at the back."

The German coach mentioned that he will need two teams to cover the France tournament. One for the group stage put together with hard workers. The second one would have to deliver more playing quality.

By the time the Ukraine game comes around, Loew will try to create the needed team-spirit for the tournament in France.

"As for the team spirit we are on the right track, but of course there is still a lot to do," Loew said. He knows full well that, for the European Championships, the 2014 World Champion will need a sort of a re-start after his team has lost as many as seven games since Brazil and had to go through a difficult Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

The problems have not been fully solved as Loew could see in his last warm-up match in Gelsenkirchen. "We face a long tournament and we still have our goals," Loew pointed out.

Before the Germans kick off their campaign in France, Loew will have to find a solution to his main problem at right back. After Philipp Lahm retired, Loew tried out several candidates. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (FC Schalke 04) and Antonio Ruediger (AS Roma) are now the players still left in the running to fill the position. Against the Euro 2016 participant Hungary, the position was occupied by Hoewedes, Loew's choice at the World Cup in Brazil.

As Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) is currently out injured and unavailable for the start of the tournament, he has been replaced by Ruediger alongside the other central defender Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich).

In France Germany faces the Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland in group C

source : xinhua