Joachim Low intends to give youth a chance in the European Championship qualifiers following a miserable past few months in charge of Germany.
Die Mannschaft followed up a limp defence of their World Cup crown, in which they exited at the group stages in Russia over the summer, by being relegated from the top tier of European countries in the Nations League.
The Netherlands’s 2-0 victory over world champions France on Friday confirmed Germany’s demotion from Group 1 of League A and Low has already turned his attentions towards Euro 2020.
First, though, his side will attempt to end this year on a high note on Monday when they face the Dutch, who can finish top of the group by avoiding defeat in Gelsenkirchen.
The Germany head coach said in quotes on www.dfb.de: “The Netherlands deserved their win against the world champions.
“For us, the feeling is obviously quite bitter since we now no longer have chance to stay in League A. We have to accept that.
“Our focus however is now like it was before – solely on qualifying for the European Championship, where we want to send a strong team out.
“With this in mind we will have lots of room to allow young players to come in and for them to get more and more experience with the national team.
“In this year, which overall has been very disappointing for us, we want to put on a good show for the fans on Monday in Gelsenkirchen.”
Time to depart ✈️ #DieMannschaft #GERNED pic.twitter.com/yGrqaVpwFW
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 18, 2018
Liverpool pair Vigil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum struck either side of Memphis Depay’s goal as the Netherlands cruised to a 3-0 victory over Germany in Amsterdam last month.
The Dutch failed to qualify for the World Cup, but have bloomed since Ronald Koeman took charge in February and will qualify for the Nations League Finals next June if they collect a point in western Germany.
Koeman knows his side’s recent progress means they will have a target on their backs.
He said in quotes on De Telegraaf: “There will be a bad game or a bad result for this team, but we know what is being asked to win against the best countries and that is something that everyone should be aware of.
“It is then up to the staff if players think differently and do what is necessary.”
