Germany NT - NEWS thread

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Löw Blames Early Season Start For Injury Crisis

Germany coach Joachim Löw believes that the relative early start of the Bundesliga, in comparison to many other major leagues, puts the German national team at a disadvantage.

Löw is adamant that it is not just rotten luck that has denied him the services of such key players as Torsten Frings, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker and Michael Ballack for the first qualifiers, insisting that it is a direct result of the strain of an early and intense season start.

"It is annoying because I would like to have players like Frings, Ballack, Mertesacker and Friedrich because they have the experience for these games," he said.

"But it is the same situation we had after the 2006 World Cup.

"What worries me is that, after these big tournaments, the players have very short breaks and short preparation time for the new season.

"In Italy and Spain, they have an advantage because they don't start until later, but our national team players have to be back after only three weeks and straight into the business of playing regularly.

"We have just got to deal with the situation."

He added: "Some of the players are lacking a proper, six-week pre-season and, because of this, they pick up an injury after the summer.

"After the 2006 World Cup, we had about 10 players out in October and November."

To remedy this, Low has called on a bunch of young prospects to fill the gaps and he expects them all to take the opportunity to prove they are the future of the Germany national team.

Löw has been forced into some gambles, with young players such as Marko Marin (Borussia Monchengladbach), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV) and Serdar Tasci (VfB Stuttgart) being thrust into the spotlight earlier than he would have liked.

"We are without four players who have done a lot for our team in the past, but now we have new players coming through and we see this as a chance for them, and they have got to take it," the Germany boss added.

"Then there are the players who have been here three or four years already, like Philipp Lahm or Bastian Schweinsteiger, and now the time has come for them to assume more of the responsibility.

"They have to take on a leading role in this team."

As far as Germany's prospectives in a group that includes Russia, Wales and Azerbaijan, Löw said: "It is not something which will just fall into place - we have a hard task, particularly with only one nation automatically through.

"Russia did well at Euro 2008 and Finland have been known for beating the favourites at home.

"It is a tough task, but we are happy to be going to Liechtenstein now, who we want to beat and who we will beat."

Goal.com - World Cup - Löw Blames Early Season Start For Injury Crisis

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DfB To Bierhoff And Ballack: Cut It Out

German Football Federation president Theo Zwanziger has called on Michael Ballack and Oliver Bierhoff to end their feud for the national team's sake.

The bad blood between the captain and team manger boiled over on the weekend with them both exchanging jabs at each other through the press.

The two have been at odds since the aftermath of the Euro 2008 final in Vienna earlier this summer, when they were caught on camera arguing with each other after Ballack refused to hold up a thank-you banner for the fans, later declaring it "tacky".

Now, the DfB president has said 'enough is enough' suggesting they are jeopardising the group harmony ahead of an important qualifier in Finland on Wednesday.

"The coach must be able to concentrate fully on preparing the team for Wednesday's difficult task," Zwanziger told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"It is up to Ballack and Bierhoff to "come together themselves.

"There are always differences of opinion, even among ourselves in the presidium. But things like this have to be dealt with internally and not kept running in the media." he concluded.

Goal.com - Germany - DfB To Bierhoff And Ballack: Cut It Out

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Beckenbauer To Bierhoff And Ballack: Grow Up

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has admonished Michael Ballack and Oliver Bierhoff for their public falling out.

The bad blood between the captain and team manger boiled over on the weekend with them both exchanging jabs at each other through the press.

The two have been at odds since the aftermath of the Euro 2008 final in Vienna earlier this summer, when they were caught on camera arguing with each other after Ballack refused to hold up a thank-you banner for the fans, later declaring it "tacky".

Now, Beckenbauer has said 'enough is enough' suggesting they are jeopardising the group harmony ahead of an important qualifier in Finland on Wednesday.

"Such disagreements must be resolved immediately," the Bayern chief told DSF television.

"If they are not capable of doing it together, then a higher force must intervene, like the DFB (German Football Association) president Theo Zwanziger."

Beckenbauer also had some stern words for Lukas Podolski, who recently dropped a bombshell by going on record as saying that joining Bayern was probably a mistake..

"He should be aware of what it means to play for FC Bayern," said Beckenbauer, "and he should accept the challenge and force his way through."

Goal.com - Germany - Beckenbauer To Bierhoff And Ballack: Grow Up

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BALLACK EXPLAINS BIERHOFF FEUD

Germany captain Michael Ballack has revealed his row with national team manager Oliver Bierhoff stemmed from his personal feelings that football was not taking priority in the squad.

The Germany captain was reported to have exchanged words with Bierhoff following Euro 2008 when he refused to hold up a banner to the fans in the wake of their defeat to Spain in the final.

Things have remained tense between then pair since, but Ballack revealed the situation has now been resolved following a telephone conversation last week.

However, the Chelsea midfielder admitted much of his frustration was due to the fact he felt the Germany management were putting "fun" before football.

In an interview with Germany's Tagesspiegel am Sonntag newspaper, Ballack said: "This banner was not the reason, it was just what sparked it off.

"We did not argue because he told me to hold this banner up to the fans, that is certainly not the reason, but that is now dealt with as far as I am concerned.

"(Former Germany coach) Jurgen Klinsmann was the first to take things in this direction, together with Oliver Bierhoff.

"It has just developed from there. The players like it - we are only human after all - but when you lose a grip on what counts, then you have got to do something about it.

"Before, organising our free time had never been an issue and it was normal to be shielded off from everything, but then the contact to the fans became more intensive.

"I am all in favour of fun, but football must take priority."

Ballack is grateful that in England training sessions are not open to the public, as they are in Germany.

"Arsenal's coach Arsene Wenger once wisely said that the training field is for work and the stadium is for the fans," Ballack continued.

"Of course there should be training sessions open to the public, but not always.

"In the summer, during the holidays, there would be 5,000 people each day at training with Bayern Munich and that makes it hard to concentrate.

"It is not all about locking the fans out, but the players must be able to train professionally and that is the same in any job.

"As a player, I like the situation in England and everybody who is new to England finds it great. It is very comforting when you can work in peace all week."

SportingLife.com

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Ballack And Frings Back For Germany

Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings have been recalled to the Germany squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Russia and Wales, having recovered from their respective injuries.

Germany's head coach, Joachim Low, today named a 22-man squad which did not include any real surprises, though was made noteworthy by the fact that there was again no call up for out of favour Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder.

Low was quick to play down claims, however, that Metzelder does not have an international future as long as he is in charge.

"We had a good chat and he still plays an important role in our plans," insisted the manager.

"But we have agreed that he should remain with Real Madrid and train hard to earn more match practice with them.

"That also makes sense because we have three good alternatives for the central defence position with Per Mertesacker, Heiko Westermann and Serdar Tasci."

Jermaine Jones, Serdar Tasci, Heiko Westermann and Patrick Helmes are some of the few new faces in the squad, while Low also commented on the competition for goalkeeping places now that Jens Lehmann is no longer an option following his international retirement.

"We expect a lot from Patrick (Helmes) in the future," said Low "He has enormous potential and has shown this emphatically for his club (Bayer Leverkusen) recently.

"Jermaine Jones has also made a name for himself recently and he is physically very strong."

He added: "This is also the last time this year that we have a bit of time together so we have the chance to look at three goalkeepers," said Low.

"The return of Adler is not a surprise and Tim Wiese has earned his chance because he has left a good impression on us."


Germany Squad:

Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Robert Enke (Hannover); Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke); Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg); Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Patrick Helmes (Cologne), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich).


Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Goal.com - Germany - Ballack And Frings Back For Germany

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Hildebrand Still In Löw’s Plans

German national team trainer Joachim Löw has assured Valencia goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand that he has a role to play for his country.

Despite the fact that he was left out of the Euro 2008 squad and that his situation at Valencia is far from ideal, the German keeper has been told by Jogi Löw that he does still feature in his plans.

A personal discussion is reported to have taken place between the two on Saturday and the keeper has been told that he will get a chance to add to his seven German caps.

“We have sorted everything out and the topic is no longer an issue” Löw explained on Monday to the Sports Information Service.

Any issue between Hildebrand and the national team’s management is now over following the 90 minute discussion. The 29 year old former Stuttgart keeper had been critical of Löw’s decision to omit him from the squad for this summer’s European Championships.

“I explained to him my reasons for not picking him this summer” Löw said.

The Bundestrainer confessed that he still regarded Hildebrand as one of Germany’s best keepers despite the fact he is not the number one at his Spanish side.

“He has to assess the situation. I think that he will get the chance to leave the club in the winter transfer window. If he then plays regularly then he’ll get his chance in the national team.”

Hildebrand has however been left out of the latest German squad which will take on Russia and Wales in the forthcoming Worlds Cup qualifiers. Robert Enke, Tim Wiese and Rene Adler have been called up.

Goal.com - Germany - Hildebrand Still In Löw’s Plans

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Jansen Ruled Out Of World Cup Qualifiers

Hamburg full back Marcell Jansen has been ruled out of Germany’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Wales with a thigh injury.

The HSV defender, recently signed from Bayern Munich has suffered a rupture of a muscle in his left thigh and will be unavailable to face Russia this Saturday or Wales the following Wednesday.

Löw will however be boosted by the return of five players who return to the squad. Goalkeeper René Adler, defender Arne Friedrich as well as captain Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings and Jermaine Jones return to the fold.

In contrast, Christoph Metzelder, Marko Marin and Andreas Hinkel will be missing against Russia and Wales.

Metzelder is set to train with Real Madrid, Marin was nominated for the U- 21 squad for the Euro playoffs with France, while Hinkel is ruled out with a thigh injury.

Goal.com - Germany - Jansen Ruled Out Of World Cup Qualifiers