Revamped Germany 'isn't among' Euro 2020 favourites: Löw
Germany head coach Joachim Löw
insisted Friday his fledgling team can not be considered among the favourites
for Euro 2020 as they look to wrap up qualification against Belarus this
weekend.
"I don't think we're among the top favourites," said Löw ahead of Saturday's Group C qualifier, citing world champions France, England, the Netherlands or Spain as potential winners next summer.
"A lot is possible, this team has great qualities, but many players still need a few more years to develop."
READ ALSO: Bundesliga: Your complete guide to becoming a football fan in Germany
Germany, who are second in Group C, will book their Euros place in Mönchengladbach if they better Northern Ireland's result in their match against group leaders the Netherlands.
The Germans are level on points with the Dutch with the top two teams going
through, and Löw is eager to wrap up qualification before Tuesday's final qualifier against Northern Ireland, who are three points back in third.
"We're two steps from the Euro 2020 finals, we want to win the last two games and have a positive end to the year," said Löw.
'A work in progress'
However Löw says his young Germany team is still a "work in progress" in the wake of last year's World Cup debacle in Russia.
His side were humbled 4-2 at home in September by the Dutch, before throwing away a two-goal lead against a weak Argentina in last month's 2-2 friendly draw in Dortmund.
After Germany failed to qualify from their group at the 2018 World Cup
finals, the 59-year-old cleaned out his squad in March by informing Thomas
Mueller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng their international careers were over.
READ ALSO: 'I thought they'd get killed by Germany': Fans react to Die Mannschaft's shock defeat
However, two key players in Löw's new-look team, winger Leroy Sane, 23, and defender Niklas Suele, 24, are sidelined with long-term knee injuries.
Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter, 25, will lead Germany's back four against Belarus at Borussia Park.
"I have the feeling that 'Matze' (Ginter) is a bit undervalued, but I know how reliable he is and how well he can perform," added Löw.
However with Ginter's fellow centre back Suele set to miss most of the season, Löw has refused to recall Boateng or Hummels, his key defenders when Germany won the 2014 World Cup.
"The main thing is that he (Suele) returns fit, no one knows when he will be back on the pitch next," added Löw.
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City and Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka will form Germany's midfield behind RB Leipzig striker
Timo Werner, who has scored 11 goals in as many Bundesliga games.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer is under pressure in goal from Barcelona star
Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Löw has said Neuer will start against Belarus on Saturday while Ter Stegenwill face the Northern Irish three days later.
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"I don't think we're among the top favourites," said Löw ahead of Saturday's Group C qualifier, citing world champions France, England, the Netherlands or Spain as potential winners next summer.
"A lot is possible, this team has great qualities, but many players still need a few more years to develop."
READ ALSO: Bundesliga: Your complete guide to becoming a football fan in Germany
Germany, who are second in Group C, will book their Euros place in Mönchengladbach if they better Northern Ireland's result in their match against group leaders the Netherlands.
The Germans are level on points with the Dutch with the top two teams going
through, and Löw is eager to wrap up qualification before Tuesday's final qualifier against Northern Ireland, who are three points back in third.
"We're two steps from the Euro 2020 finals, we want to win the last two games and have a positive end to the year," said Löw.
'A work in progress'
However Löw says his young Germany team is still a "work in progress" in the wake of last year's World Cup debacle in Russia.
His side were humbled 4-2 at home in September by the Dutch, before throwing away a two-goal lead against a weak Argentina in last month's 2-2 friendly draw in Dortmund.
After Germany failed to qualify from their group at the 2018 World Cup
finals, the 59-year-old cleaned out his squad in March by informing Thomas
Mueller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng their international careers were over.
READ ALSO: 'I thought they'd get killed by Germany': Fans react to Die Mannschaft's shock defeat
However, two key players in Löw's new-look team, winger Leroy Sane, 23, and defender Niklas Suele, 24, are sidelined with long-term knee injuries.
Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter, 25, will lead Germany's back four against Belarus at Borussia Park.
"I have the feeling that 'Matze' (Ginter) is a bit undervalued, but I know how reliable he is and how well he can perform," added Löw.
However with Ginter's fellow centre back Suele set to miss most of the season, Löw has refused to recall Boateng or Hummels, his key defenders when Germany won the 2014 World Cup.
"The main thing is that he (Suele) returns fit, no one knows when he will be back on the pitch next," added Löw.
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City and Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka will form Germany's midfield behind RB Leipzig striker
Timo Werner, who has scored 11 goals in as many Bundesliga games.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer is under pressure in goal from Barcelona star
Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Löw has said Neuer will start against Belarus on Saturday while Ter Stegenwill face the Northern Irish three days later.
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