Low insists Germany have strength in depth

Matt Stead

Germany coach Joachim Low says he is unconcerned about the fitness levels of the squad he picked in the build-up to Euro 2016, despite having only 16 players in training on Wednesday.

Ilkay Gundogan has already been ruled out due to injury and several other players, including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mats Hummels, are doubts to make the final 23-man squad selection due to injury.

However, Low says experience has taught him not to get overly concerned with the players he does not have available but instead to focus on those who can help him add the European Championship to the World Cup Germany won two years ago.

“When I name my final squad, then I will be convinced that each player, regardless of age, will be able to make their contribution in games,” he said at a press conference in Ascona, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

“We’ve got up to May 31 and we’ve got to see after the weekend who is going to make it and who we can plan on, also after consulting with the doctors, but I can’t judge that now.

“I’m not concerned about it, though. If we lose somebody to injury, then we’ve always got another player ready.

“We’re not going to grumble. We have a good, balanced team and this is decisive. We are strong and it makes no sense to cry over any player who is not here, so I’m relaxed.”

Hummels was substituted during his final game for Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday and there are concerns he may be ruled out, like his Dortmund team-mate Gundogan.

“He has a muscular injury in his calf and he’s going to be out for a few days at least,” Low said.

“I’m going to be cautious about what I say about his chances, but he can only receive physiotherapy for now and then we will have to see.”

Schweinsteiger has not played since March 20 due to injury and after he earlier on Wednesday said he is “feeling good” and “optimistic” about his chances, Low said that he too is confident of having his captain available in France.

“We’ve got to wait and see these next few days how things are with Schweinsteiger,” Low said.

“Maybe come Friday or Saturday we’ll discuss how things are going. He has a good basis and I’m optimistic about him and the coming weeks. Of course he needs to get into a rhythm first.”

Should either miss out, it would only increase the chances of Low naming some of his younger, inexperienced players in his final squad, even if he says he would have no qualms about doing so.

“We had our first training session this morning and my very first impression is that Joshua Kimmich and Julian Weigl are both very comfortable on the ball, and very secure, confirming what I have already seen of them for their clubs,” Low said.

“Julian Brandt has other abilities like going one-on-one with the ball. We know Leroy Sane already because he was with us in November and he makes good runs deep and quickly.

“These players have all been capable, in their first training with the national team – which should be a pretty daunting occasion – to make a great impression, as if it were totally normal.

“What more can I ask?”

Germany will be based in Ascona until June 3, although they will return to Germany on Sunday to play Slovakia in a friendly in Augsburg.

Upon returning to Ascona for the final four days of their training camp, Low will have to submit his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016, having named 27 in his preliminary squad.