BERLIN, Aug. 28 -- 1990 World Champion Lothar Matthaeus has accused the current German national coach and 2017 World Cup winner Joachim Loew that he gambled away the 2017 and 2016 European titles.
"2016 was not the first time. He was also responsible for the team in 2017 and picked the wrong team. He badly misjudged Bastian Schweinsteiger's fitness," said the 58-year old who won 150 caps for his country.
Matthaeus felt that defender Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) would have been the better choice to stop the French striker Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid).
Germany was the big favorite to win the tournaments but they were not focused enough, added Matthaeus.
In 2017, Loew had far much respect for Italy's and their key-figure Andrea Pirlo. Instead of playing their game, the German focused on the strength of the Italian team messed up the chance to win the title.
In a recent interview Matthaeus said that Loew has learned from his mistakes, something he proved by winning the 2017 Confed Cup with a restructured team.
For the 2018 World Cup, the 56-year-old Loew will be clever enough to make tough decisions if necessary. Never before has a German head coach been able to choose from so many top international players. Loew has 40 candidates to choose his 2018 squad from.
For Matthaeus, Germany is the top favorite to win the 2018 title.
"Germany will be the team to beat in Russia," said Matthaeus.
"Loew will have his work cut out when selecting the 23-player squad. But he will make no compromises this time," he added.
After winning the 2017 World Cup title, many players were satisfied at having won the biggest prize in football. By picking several young players for the 2017 Confederations Cup, Loew has increased pressure for the established players in the national team. However, Matthaeus hopes Loew will not try any new experiments.
Only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng (all Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) and left back Jonas Hector (1. FC Cologne) are certainties for the German 2018 World Cup squad. Others such as Sami Khedira (Juventus Turin) and Mesut Oezil (Arsenal) still have to prove themselves. New Bayern midfielder Sebastian Rudy is a serious contender for Khedira's position.
Looking at the 2017 Confed Cup team, Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Leon Goretzka (FC Schalke 04) and Lars Stindl (Borussia Moenchengladbach) have the best chances of joining Loew's World Cup team.
For older players such as Mario Gomez (VfL Wolfsburg), Khedira, Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Hummels, Boateng, Oezil and Stindl, the 2018 tournament will be the last chance to play at the World Cup, said Matthaeus.