Analysis: Loew has to solve Germany’s goal-scoring problem

BERLIN, June 17– Ahead of the second group encounter against Portugal this Saturday, German coach Joachim Loew is forced to change his starting eleven. After a solid performance in the defense against France, the 61- year-old has to take care of the German team’s obvious goal-scoring problem. Ilkay Guendogan stood behind the front line, Joshua Kimmich was put in…

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, June 17 (Xinhua) — Ahead of the second group encounter against Portugal this Saturday, German coach Joachim Loew is forced to change his starting eleven.

After a solid performance in the defense against France, the 61-year-old has to take care of the German team’s obvious goal-scoring problem.

With poorly executed dead-ball situations and only one scoring opportunity against the 2018 world champion, the struggling 2014 world champion needs to increase its attacking efforts.

Ilkay Guendogan stood behind the front line, Joshua Kimmich was put in midfield as an aggressive leader, and Leroy Sane was one of the strikers. In a word, Loew had many options.

“We haven’t been courageous enough,” Bayern’s Kimmich said.

“Without creating chances, we can’t score a goal,” Kimmich added.

Loew seemed to have spotted his most pressing tasks. “We couldn’t get through in the attacking zone,” he said.

“Nothing serious has happened. We can get things done in the two remaining games,” the German coach added.

But after the defeat in their Group F opener, Germany’s UEFA 2020 EURO campaign has already turned into some sort of arithmetic gambling.

Due to the tournament regulations, the best four group-thirds are through to the knock-out stage.

Losing to Portugal might still leave doors open for Loew’s squad, but that result might make Germany go home after the group stage.

With beer gardens packed and supporters enjoying life going slowly back to normal after restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire nation’s hope was almost on Loew’s shoulders.

Neither Loew nor his players talk about the title, but to survive the group as the first step.

Loew found himself have to answer the question about the team’s tactical strategy. Is relying on a back-row of five a good idea considering the inefficiency upfront?

The German coach promised to set up an effective plan and decide after intense talks with his leading players. “We will work on that in video sessions and individual conversations,” Loew announced.

Having recalled former leaders such as Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller as a last-minute action and changing the team’s hierarchy, quick solutions are required.

After the team developed a solid team spirit over the past weeks, fans hope a successful game can clear blockades. Enditem