GERMANY: SOCCER - Germany squad prepare to travel to Slovakia seeking revenge for their 2005 defeat

Germany will have their first team back on the pitch for a Euro Group D qualifier at Slovakia on Wednesday (October 11) after coach Joachim Loew rested seven of his first 11 during their easy 2-0 win in a friendly against Georgia. Germany, with a perfect six points from two matches, lost the leadership of the group to the Czech Republic, who beat San Marino at the weekend to take over with nine points in three matches. Slovakia trail in third with six from three matches. "I hope we have the confidence ahead of the game to say that we want to win this game," Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said at a news conference ahead of their training. "Slovakia wasn't even in the World Cup, but nevertheless we know from previous years that they can be very dangerous on home grounds. They have good strikers, who also play for the German League, they are well known. Nevertheless I hope that we can still have the attitude that we want to win." Even though Germany have not allowed a goal in their four straight wins since Joachim Loew took over for Juergen Klinsmann after the World Cup and have scored an impressive 19 goals, the team's defence is nevertheless the new coach's major concern. Injuries that have sidelined first team centre backs Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder as well as their backups Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny has force Loew to search for creative solutions. He moved Hertha Berlin right back Arne Friedrich to the centre and tried young Manuel Friedrich alongside him against Georgia, but they looked shaky. Arne Friedrich had played reasonably well in two previous outings in the centre but the two unrelated Friedrichs were dreadful on Saturday and lucky that Georgia had two goals nullified by offside calls. Mertesacker, who had a brilliant return from a 12-week injury break in time for Werder Bremen's Champions League 1-1 draw against Barcelona on Sept. 27, was kept off Loew's squad at Bremen's request -- because they say he's not fully recovered. Striker Oliver Neuville was also injured, but should be on the pitch against Slovakia, Manager Oliver Bierhoff said. "Oliver Neuville trained with the team yesterday and the physiotherapists had a positive reponse, he is making good progress. I have been told that he could be ready to play on Wednesday." Germany's back four will surely be tested by Slovakia, who beat Germany 2-0 in a friendly 13 months ago in Bratislava. While Germany have been almost unbeatable at home in this World Cup year, they have struggled away. Slovakia are brimming with confidence after a 5-1 win over Wales on Saturday. They believe they can be the first blemish on Germany's record in the qualifying in the match at Bratislava. The Slovaks have scored in bunches in qualifiers against the Welsh and in a 6-1 defeat of Cyprus.

ITN Source | October 10, 2006

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