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Cape Town - Germany assistant coach Andreas Koepke has revealed Philipp Lahm may be moved back to his favoured position of right-back.
The Germany skipper has been deployed as a holding midfielder thus far in the World Cup, a role which he has performed with moderate to little success.
With the Mannschaft also currently lacking fast full-backs, a weakness that was recently exposed by Algeria, there have been calls for the speedy Lahm to be restored to the defence. It appears that head coach Joachim Low may heed those calls despite initially sticking to his guns.
"There is no doubt that Lahm is a super player as a right full-back," Koepke told reporters.
"It's not the case that we won't deviate from certain things if we feel they'll lead to success," he added.
"We're not sticking stubbornly to our point of view."
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer added that he enjoys having his Bayern Munich team-mate Lahm as part of his defence.
"I'm happy when Philipp plays right back," commented the shot-stopper.
"He brings a lot of zip to our game. We're stronger offensively when he plays full back. But I feel comfortable when he's in the midfield. He can play both positions almost perfectly."
The Germany skipper has been deployed as a holding midfielder thus far in the World Cup, a role which he has performed with moderate to little success.
With the Mannschaft also currently lacking fast full-backs, a weakness that was recently exposed by Algeria, there have been calls for the speedy Lahm to be restored to the defence. It appears that head coach Joachim Low may heed those calls despite initially sticking to his guns.
"There is no doubt that Lahm is a super player as a right full-back," Koepke told reporters.
"It's not the case that we won't deviate from certain things if we feel they'll lead to success," he added.
"We're not sticking stubbornly to our point of view."
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer added that he enjoys having his Bayern Munich team-mate Lahm as part of his defence.
"I'm happy when Philipp plays right back," commented the shot-stopper.
"He brings a lot of zip to our game. We're stronger offensively when he plays full back. But I feel comfortable when he's in the midfield. He can play both positions almost perfectly."
