Germany head coach Joachim Loew is more interested in England’s potential than their struggles as recently-appointed Gareth Southgate attempts to bring “modern football” to a side in transition.
Last March there was a feel-good factor around the national team after Roy Hodgson’s men secured a remarkable 3-2 comeback win in the world champions’ backyard.
But England’s triumph in Berlin proved a rare moment of joy in a desperate year for the national team, with the Euro 2016 exit to minnows Iceland undoubtedly the lowest moment.
Loew had expected the Three Lions to challenge for the crown in France and, despite a year of turbulence, believes a positive future lies ahead as Southgate prepares to take charge of his first match since permanently succeeding Sam Allardyce.
“Well, what you can really see is that England are a team in transit, as it were,” the Germany head coach said ahead of tonight’s friendly (kick-off: 8.45pm).
“Their coach has promised for them to play a more modern football, more possession-orientated.
“I watched a re-run of the game against Spain and that was a really strong performance.
“England have some fantastic individual players, very fast off the blocks, very pacy, prepared to take risks on the pitch.
“I think if there is one attribute that I would give is that it’s a team in change, a team that is changing.”
The team on the pitch and off it has changed a lot in the period since Loew took the Germany reins in 2006, but there have been precious few signs of improvements for England.
Lukas Podolski, preparing to make his 130th and final international appearance, suggests Loew’s longevity is behind Germany’s superior major tournament displays, culminating in World Cup glory three years ago.
“I can’t really say what or why there is so many differences between Germany and England,” the ex-Arsenal forward said.
“Maybe one of the main differences is that we, unlike England, have had a great coach for the last 10 years, so that has given us consistency as far as that is concerned.
“And the other main reason is that in 2004 German football really changed course and started to develop and it culminated in 2014 with the World Cup. I can’t really speak, and I don’t know, about how talent scouting and youth training works at the FA.
“What I can say is that the clubs have a whole lot of up-and-coming, promising players at their disposal.
“I think they can get far in an international tournament, unless they meet Germany along the way.”
Podolski farewell
Podolski is set to captain Germany in his farewell match on Wednesday, which Manuel Neuer, Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler will miss through injury.
A slight hamstring complaint keeps out divisive Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil and Loew believes such absentees change the dynamics of the Dortmund friendly.
“England v Germany has always been a classic in international football,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it at all.
“And when we think about the fixture, there are memories of great matches.
“This one will be slightly different in that I will have to make do without key players.
“But thing is with the multitude of matches these days, it is inevitable that people pick up injuries and that they are involved in international club competitions, UEFA Champions League and so on and so forth.”