Despite German injuries, bring on France: Loew

AFP, EVIAN (FRANCE): Despite a mounting injury list, Germany coach Joachim Loew is relishing facing the hosts in Thursday's Euro 2016 semi-final under the motto - 'Bring on France'.
"It's great that there's a game like this. I love playing knock-out games against teams of this calibre," said Loew in Evian on Monday.
Loew's cause for optimism over the Marseille semi-final is not obvious with three key players definitely ruled out, while captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is doubtful with a new knee injury.
Germany have defender Mats Hummels suspended while Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira are out with injury - Gomez for the rest of the tournament.
As Loew acknowledged, France were buoyed by Sunday's 5-2 hammering of minnows Iceland in their quarter-final.
And the hosts can expect near fanatical support in Marseille, the heartland of the nation's die-hard fans.
Nevertheless Loew can barely wait for kick-off as Germany rest up after Saturday's tense quarter-final penalty shootout win over Italy.
"I'm not worried about who the favourite is," said Germany's head coach.
"It would be easy to say that we have a few injuries and France are favourites as they played really well.
"But that does not matter at all over 90 or 120 minutes.
"It is like it was against Italy: a game of two teams with outstanding individuals.
"Both have a clear direction, even if France naturally plays offensively. I love games like this."
Loew was very clear that Schweinsteiger, who has a strained knee, will only face France if fully fit.
The Manchester United star had only recently recovered from tearing the medial ligament in his right knee in March.
"If a player is less than 100 percent fit, then I won't play him," said Loew.
"I made that mistake once before in my career and I won't do it again."
Loew refused to be drawn about the mistake he referred to -- passing it of from earlier in his career as a club coach.
But he has been in this situation before with Germany.
Loew played Michael Ballack in the Euro 2008 final, when Germany were beaten 1-0 by Spain, when the defensive midfielder was carrying a calf injury.
Meanwhile, in reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Joachim Loew has maintained his impressive record of guiding Germany to the final stages of major tournaments, yet is facing criticism at home.
But even after Jonas Hector’s final converted penalty in Bordeaux saw Germany break the Azzurri hoodoo, there was still grumbling back home.

Despite German injuries, bring on France: Loew

AFP, EVIAN (FRANCE): Despite a mounting injury list, Germany coach Joachim Loew is relishing facing the hosts in Thursdays Euro 2016 semi-final under the motto - Bring on France. Its great that theres a game like this. I love playing knock-out games against teams of this calibre, said Loew in Evian on Monday. Loews cause for optimism over the Marseille semi-final is not obvious with three key players definitely ruled out, while captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is doubtful with a new knee injury. Germany have defender Mats Hummels suspended while Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira are out with injury - Gomez for the rest of the tournament. As Loew acknowledged, France were buoyed by Sundays 5-2 hammering of minnows Iceland in their quarter-final. And the hosts can expect near fanatical support in Marseille, the heartland of the nations die-hard fans. Nevertheless Loew can barely wait for kick-off as Germany rest up after Saturdays tense quarter-final penalty shootout win over Italy. Im not worried about who the favourite is, said Germanys head coach. It would be easy to say that we have a few injuries and France are favourites as they played really well. But that does not matter at all over 90 or 120 minutes. It is like it was against Italy: a game of two teams with outstanding individuals. Both have a clear direction, even if France naturally plays offensively. I love games like this. Loew was very clear that Schweinsteiger, who has a strained knee, will only face France if fully fit. The Manchester United star had only recently recovered from tearing the medial ligament in his right knee in March. If a player is less than 100 percent fit, then I wont play him, said Loew. I made that mistake once before in my career and I wont do it again. Loew refused to be drawn about the mistake he referred to -- passing it of from earlier in his career as a club coach. But he has been in this situation before with Germany. Loew played Michael Ballack in the Euro 2008 final, when Germany were beaten 1-0 by Spain, when the defensive midfielder was carrying a calf injury. Meanwhile, in reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Joachim Loew has maintained his impressive record of guiding Germany to the final stages of major tournaments, yet is facing criticism at home. But even after Jonas Hectors final converted penalty in Bordeaux saw Germany break the Azzurri hoodoo, there was still grumbling back home.