Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger’s farewell game took place at BORUSSIA-PARK in Mönchengladbach last night, with Joachim Löw’s World Champions recording a comfortable 2-0 over Finland. With one eye seemingly on the World Cup in 2018, the head coach selected a young team alongside the vastly experience Schweinsteiger, who was making his 121st and last appearance for Die Mannschaft. The national team head coach spoke to DFB about his feelings on his captain’s farewell, the performance of the young players and this Sunday’s World Cup qualification opener against Norway in Oslo (20:45 CEST).
DFB: Joachim Löw, Bastian Schweinsteiger last night bid farewell after 12 years in the national team. Was it an emotional evening for you?
Joachim Löw: Before the game and also when he was substituted I was very touched. I had many thoughts all of those years together go through my head. Basti has always had fantastic football abilities, with the World Cup final in 2014 being a true case in point. That aside, his human qualities, honesty and fairness have always impressed me. He has never shown any selfishness despite having to sometimes grit his teeth. He has always put the team ahead of himself and without Basti we would not have been as successful. He is a great player and a great person.
DFB: You selected quite a few young players for the game against Finland. Niklas Süle was given his debut, whilst Max Meyer and Julian Brandt also started the game. Were you impressed by the Olympic players?
Löw: They acquitted themselves well and were heavily involved in the game. It was like a glimpse into the future. For some of the players it was their first or one of their first international games. I will always use these kinds of games to give young players international experience.
DFB: Max Meyer looked particularly impressive in midfield.
Löw: He really impressed me. Technically he is a very, very good player. He is taking some big steps, which he also showed at the Olympics. He’s got a great passing game.
DFB: Attention now turns to the first World Cup qualifier against Norway. Which players will stay with the squad?
Löw: We are sending two or three of the players back home who played in the Olympics. However, I need to get all the information from the team doctors first.
DFB: You can’t afford any slip ups in the World Cup qualifiers. How are you approaching the game in Oslo?
Löw: We’re putting all of our focus on the game and want to get off to a good start. We’re still not quite warmed as most of the players have only played one competitive Bundesliga game so far. It’s not ideal, but we will do everything to kick off our campaign with a win.
DFB: Mario Götze assisted both of the goals. How would you assess his performance?
Löw: He had a lot of influence on the game and worked very hard. He was still lacking a little bit of sharpness and movement, but he’s not 100% fit yet. He will need a couple of more games under his belt to get some rhythm. Nevertheless he was very valuable to the side last night.
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Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger’s farewell game took place at BORUSSIA-PARK in Mönchengladbach last night, with Joachim Löw’s World Champions recording a comfortable 2-0 over Finland. With one eye seemingly on the World Cup in 2018, the head coach selected a young team alongside the vastly experience Schweinsteiger, who was making his 121st and last appearance for Die Mannschaft. The national team head coach spoke to DFB about his feelings on his captain’s farewell, the performance of the young players and this Sunday’s World Cup qualification opener against Norway in Oslo (20:45 CEST).
DFB: Joachim Löw, Bastian Schweinsteiger last night bid farewell after 12 years in the national team. Was it an emotional evening for you?
Joachim Löw: Before the game and also when he was substituted I was very touched. I had many thoughts all of those years together go through my head. Basti has always had fantastic football abilities, with the World Cup final in 2014 being a true case in point. That aside, his human qualities, honesty and fairness have always impressed me. He has never shown any selfishness despite having to sometimes grit his teeth. He has always put the team ahead of himself and without Basti we would not have been as successful. He is a great player and a great person.
DFB: You selected quite a few young players for the game against Finland. Niklas Süle was given his debut, whilst Max Meyer and Julian Brandt also started the game. Were you impressed by the Olympic players?
Löw: They acquitted themselves well and were heavily involved in the game. It was like a glimpse into the future. For some of the players it was their first or one of their first international games. I will always use these kinds of games to give young players international experience.
DFB: Max Meyer looked particularly impressive in midfield.
Löw: He really impressed me. Technically he is a very, very good player. He is taking some big steps, which he also showed at the Olympics. He’s got a great passing game.
DFB: Attention now turns to the first World Cup qualifier against Norway. Which players will stay with the squad?
Löw: We are sending two or three of the players back home who played in the Olympics. However, I need to get all the information from the team doctors first.
DFB: You can’t afford any slip ups in the World Cup qualifiers. How are you approaching the game in Oslo?
Löw: We’re putting all of our focus on the game and want to get off to a good start. We’re still not quite warmed as most of the players have only played one competitive Bundesliga game so far. It’s not ideal, but we will do everything to kick off our campaign with a win.
DFB: Mario Götze assisted both of the goals. How would you assess his performance?
Löw: He had a lot of influence on the game and worked very hard. He was still lacking a little bit of sharpness and movement, but he’s not 100% fit yet. He will need a couple of more games under his belt to get some rhythm. Nevertheless he was very valuable to the side last night.
