Despite a 6-0 loss to Spain last month, Germany is “on the right path” and will return to form, coach Joachim Löw said.
Löw held a press conference to address the team’s rocky situation after a lackluster Nations League campaign culminated with Germany’s heaviest defeat since a 6-0 loss to Austria in a friendly 1931.
“We were all disappointed and angry with this game,” Löw said of the defeat in Seville. “The anger is still simmering inside me personally because we knew we had no quick possibility of correcting the result.” Germany’s next game will not be until the next international break in March 2021.
Löw said he and his coaching staff have already analyzed the loss to Spain and drawn lessons from it, while it was also discussed with the German soccer federation.
“We always question ourselves internally. We’re very, very self-critical,“ Löw said.
Löw, who has been in charge since after the 2006 World Cup, said he has had setbacks over the years, and that he expected setbacks when he announced a fresh start for the team in 2019 after its disappointing World Cup defense the year before. Löw led Germany to the World Cup title in 2014.
“If you look beyond the Spain game, this young team is on the right path,” Löw said. “We’re sticking to our plan and are convinced that there is, was and will be a positive development. I’m convinced of it.” He spoke of his anger that details of his meeting with federation officials last Monday were publicized, and said he had made his annoyance known.
“Our job now is to play our best possible tournament,” Löw said with a view to the postponed European Championship next year. “I’ve been to a few tournaments and know what can happen.” Löw has been in charge for 189 games and has a contract until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Asked about the possible return of World Cup winners Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng — whom he dropped in March 2019 — Löw referred to the period before the World Cup in 2014, when veteran players also made way for younger ones, and said there was no reason now to recall the experienced trio.
“I’ve no idea today how the situation will be in March. I hope all the players will come through the winter safely,” Löw said.
