By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Germany coach Joachim Loew demands assault like football from his team on its way to defend the FIFA World Cup.
"When winning the ball fast reverse attacks and raid like football is a must," the 57-year-old commented. Loew announced raid like football would be the main topic in Germany's preparation in advance of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The 2014 World Cup-winning coach told German media his side has to learn using this tactical option when meeting top quality opponents. "When we meet the world's best in Russia we won't have 70 to 80 percent of ball possession. We need sudden fast and determined attacks from midfield and lightning like strikes towards the goal," Loew emphasized.
German titleholders will follow a strict plan until kick-off of the World Cup. Fast attackers such as Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Julian Draxler (Paris St Germain), and Leroy Sane (Manchester City) are inevitable. On top, Loew can't wait for injured Borussia Dortmund striker Marco Reus to return.
"Moments like that are the crucial ones in games. You gain the ball after a tackle or a mistake of the opponent team, and you finish it off because your opponent is not well organized at that moment," Loew commented.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Guendogan according to Loew's plans are supposed to be the initiating point for intruding attacks.
"This is what I like: Gaining the ball and answer with raid like football," Kroos said. The 2017 Champions League winner is convinced sudden fast attacks can make decide games against strong opponents.
"I like it to be called the favorite. There can't be any other goal than to win the title in Russia," Kroos said.
Former German international and Premier League professional Thomas Hitzlsperger called France a shining example as "they have performers like Dembele or Mbappe addressing the need for speed and exceptional individual quality."
The 52 times capped former midfielder said German football has to intensify education of "game deciders" and support "individuality" as "there are not many around to choose from." Sane has similar abilities as Mbappe and Dembele the 35-year-old 2007 German Champion stressed.
Hitzlsperger called France when talking about the big favorite to win the 2018 World Cup "as they have the most quality up front."
Loew demands from his side to be more efficient. "We need to use the narrow space only open for a moment," the German coach said. To implement his plan more courage and a direct game is necessary. The German coaching staff decided to only face top nations in their last four games in advance of the 2018 World Cup to gain experience.
After having played against England (0-0) and France (2-2) Germany will meet top teams such as 2010 World Champion Spain and 2014 World Cup host Brazil in March 2018. His squad needs opponents on this level because "from the quarterfinal on little things decide games. You have to act with full concentration over the entire 90 minutes," Loew commented after a perfect year for Germany's national team.
The Loew side won all of its ten qualification games and won the 2017 Confederations Cup. Germany wasn't beaten in its last 21 games since the 2016 European Championship semifinal. But Loew stressed that there is no reason to lean back and rest. Germany's final preparation will be in a training camp in northern Italy in May 2018.
