Fresh-faced Germany were made to work harder than expected in their 3-2 victory over Australia in their Confederations Cup Group B debut on Monday, with the world champions' young squad still adjusting to tournament life.
Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan feels his side's malfunctioning 3-4-3 system can not be held entirely accountable for the 3-2 Confederations Cup defeat to Germany.
In many ways it was a quintessential Australian showing against one of football's big boys - a costly start and then a courageous comeback that ultimately fell short.
Attacking brightspot: Tommy Rogic shoots for goal for the Socceroos against Germany.
The Canberran - clearly Australia's best player - kept his composure to score at the second attempt from long range, after his first was blocked, to shock the 28,605 at the Olympic Stadium. Loew said through a translator.
Right-back Joshua Kimmich, 22, will also have a chance to get some game time after a frustrating season of limited opportunities at club side Bayern Munich.
Low promised to change up his tactics and teams through the tournament, which Germany regards as preparation for their World Cup defence in 2018.
Australia hit back, though, as Tom Rogic briefly equalized in the 41st minute.
Julian Draxler, an unused substitute in the 2014 World Cup final win over Argentina, restored Germany's lead from the penalty spot before halftime.
Tracking severe weather and possible flooding
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Knox County is under a Flash Flood Watch beginning 5:56 a.m. On Friday, forecasters were trying to verify exactly how many tornadoes touched down in Alabama during Cindy's passage.
The Germans were quickly on the front foot in the second half as Goretzka took his effort at the near post with precision to make it 3-1 after 48 minutes.
The Leverkusen goalkeeper seemed to have taken care of Rogic's long-distance shot before inexplicably spilling the ball to the arriving Tomi Juric, who gleefully tapped home.
Australia will face Germany in a Confederations Cup, Group B soccer.
"(In) the second half, we had a lot of the ball and showed we were probably the team on top of the game", he said.
"I'm disappointed. It's no fault of the players to be fair to them". A late substitute against Germany, Australia's Tim Cahill could well bring the experience he has acquired in 98 global appearances to bear against the Indomitable Lions.
Coach Ange Postecoglou is likely to ring the changes for the match - not necessarily due to poor performers, but to spare exhausted bodies.
Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay is likely to make the bench for Germany.
Kimmich is among a new crop of German stars that also includes RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga last season, and 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Julian Brandt, who will add to his seven caps in Russian Federation.
The Germans brought a strong but youthful squad to the competition, with Sandro Wagner and Lars Stindl leading the line for coach Joachim Low.
Comments