Loew unafraid of pressure as Germany start new era

Germany’s national team enters a new era this week and coach Joachim Loew is not afraid of the additional pressure his much-needed team rebuilding is generating.
“Trust me, I know how to deal with pressure,” Loew told a news conference on the eve of Wednesday’s friendly with Serbia, followed by Sunday’s Euro 2020 qualifier in the Netherlands.
Loew insisted that he always demanded the highest standards from himself and the team.
But he also said “I am ready to take the risk” of no longer picking the acclaimed Bayern Munich trio of Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller.
This move led to some controversy but also showed that Loew is ready for a full overhaul of the team by dropping more 2014 world champions and bringing in young talent.
This has come after a 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage exit as holders and 2018 UEFA Nations League A relegation.
Loew said he knows that the team needs “a different game plan and results” in Euro 2020 qualifying and at next year’s finals.
The coach named the Serbia friendly an important test for the difficult trip to Amsterdam, where Germany lost 3-0 last year in the UEFA Nations League.
“Everything is geared to Sunday’s match against Holland. We are facing a new challenge, a new era,” Loew said.

The coach confirmed that Bayern Munich forward, Serge Gnabry, will miss Wednesday’s game because of a cold.
He added that he has not decided whether captain Manuel Neuer of Munich or in-form Marc Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona would be in goal.