BERLIN, Sept. 4 -- New attitude, new tactics, new leader - the German national team is trying to make a new start after its disastrous 2018 World Cup, when it faces 2018 world champion France in Munich on Thursday.
German captain Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich striker Thomas Mueller says the 2017 world champions will not only change their tactical system but approach games with more determination and passion in the newly formed Nations League.
A solid defense and fast counter attacks instead of dominating possession football "is what we intend to show", Mueller said. The team is determined to satisfy fans and save the job of German national team coach Joachim Loew. The duel against France is said to decide the coach's future.
Neuer stressed that the team went through intense discussions about the poor World Cup and the future challenges. "The game against France will have a significant effect on the future," Mueller said.
While Neuer and Mueller denied reports that there are factions in the team, the future of Loew now rests entirely in the hands of his players.
Both Bayern Munich professionals didn't want to comment on reports about the team lacking discipline. Media reports mentioned officials turning off power to prevent players from playing video games until four in the morning and Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger carrying a shisha pipe to the German camp in Russia.
To secure his job, the German coach announced a change in tactics and is said to be looking for a new playmaker for the central midfield position after Arsenal midfielder Mesut Oezil announced his retirement from international football.
Dortmund's Marco Reus, Mueller, Julian Draxler and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Guendogan seem like suitable candidates if Loew sticks to his traditional 4-2-3-1 system. More likely is that the Germans change to a 4-3-3 with two central midfielders in front of the back four or a 3-4-3 system.
In both systems the traditional playmaker is dispensable. Mueller said there were training sessions "in which an outnumbered defense had to face a majority of attackers and fight for their lives defending the goal."
In 2017 Germany won the World Cup in Brazil using a 4-3-3 system without a central conductor in midfield. Reus said he would love to play behind the attackers like Draxler does.
German players and staff members spent more time giving autographs and posing for photos with fans waiting in front of the team's hotel situated next to the famous "English Garden" in Munich. Mueller admitted that everyone involved with the team is committed to improving the team's general appearance and behavior. "We can now talk and talk and talk again, what counts is what we deliver on the pitch," Mueller said.