Loew to draw up masterplan

Berlin - Germany head coach Joachim Loew has revealed he is drawing up a masterplan for the world champions in 2015 to get their Euro 2016 qualification campaign back on track.

Since winning the World Cup in Brazil in July, Germany have struggled in their European qualifiers to recapture the form which swept them to their fourth world title.

They are third in their qualifying group after a shock defeat to leaders Poland and a home draw with second-placed Ireland, when they conceded a last-minute equaliser last month.

Loew said he now wants to freshen things up in the Germany camp before their next round of qualifiers in March as he rebuilds his squad after retirements and injuries.

"Up until the World Cup, we exhausted all our options...now we need to introduce new things and develop a masterplan," said Loew, with Germany to host Australia in a friendly before a Euro qualifier against Georgia next March.

"It's about the little things, but there are also one or two major decisions pending.

"We have a few ideas for the European qualifiers, but there are also a few things we need to sort out."

Perfect unity

Loew has several areas he needs to work on, including a settled back four after right-back and captain Philipp Lahm retired after the World Cup.

The head coach has also never really found a settled left-back during his seven-year reign after winning the World Cup with centreback Benedkit Hoewedes playing out of position.

The world champions want to recapture the harmony within the team as they look to replace Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose, who all retired after Brazil and welcome back the likes of new captain Bastian Schweinsteiger from injury.

"The national team should play like we did at the World Cup and before," said Loew.

"In the eight weeks, we managed to get perfect unity.

"We are on the look out for better co-ordination in the team."

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