Joachim Loew urges Germany to take out “anger and disappointment” against Iceland

Berlin, March 24 (AFP/APP): Germany head coach Joachim Loew has urged his side to take out their “anger and disappointment” from the humiliating defeat against Spain when they host Iceland on Thursday.

Their opening World Cup qualifier in Duisburg will be their first appearance since Loew’s men were thrashed 6-0 in Seville last November. In the wake of the Spanish debacle, Loew expects “a reaction from the team” after Germany’s heaviest defeat in 89 years.

“We all made mistakes against Spain,” Loew admitted in a press conference on Wednesday. “It was a slip-up, completely below the level expected.” Loew wants to keep selecting his strongest team between now and Euro 2020 in June, after which he will step down after 15 years in charge.

“I can’t think anymore about who to rest or play – that time is over,” Loew added. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is out with a groin injury and Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan will take his place alongside Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.