Berlin, Nov 9 (IANS) Germany coach Joachim Loew called up his squad for the upcoming friendlies to invite Weidenfeller for the first time.
Weidenfeller earned his first call up Friday for the “Nationalmannschaft” as Loew invited the 33-year-old goalkeeper for the upcoming international friendlies against Italy and England, reported Xinhua.
Besides the Dortmund goalkeeper, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and Hamburg’s Rene Adler were appointed.
“Manuel Neuer is currently our number one. We have observed good performances by Roman Weidenfeller on club level for a long time,” Loew said.
Weidenfeller could set a new record as the oldest goalkeeper debutant in German national soccer history.
On other positions Loew relies on tried and tested personnel. Only midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be off the list owing to a relapsing right ankle injury.
“I wish and hope that Bastian can perform free of complaints after the second ankle surgery. He is a constant in terms of a spot for the World Cup in Brazil.”
However, Dortmund’s Marcel Schmelzer and Lazio’s Miroslav Klose return into the squad after their recovery.
“It’s good for us that Miroslav returned. He is an enrichment for any team.”
The following players are still on the injury list: Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski,
Fiorentina’s Mario Gomez and Dortmund’s Ilkay Guendogan.
The Germans face their bogey team Italy in Milan Nov 15. At the same time Loew will record his 100th match as the head of the German national soccer team. Four days later they play at Wembley to see the “Three Lions” on the road.
“Italy play on a world class level from a tactical point of view. Their national team always perform efficiently. The matches against our English friends are prestigious. They live by the atmosphere and explosiveness,” Loew explained.
The German squad for the upcoming international friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Rene Adler (Hamburg), Roman Weidenfeller (Dortmund)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Marcel Schmelzer (Dortmund), Heiko Westermann (Hamburg)
Midfielders: Lars Bender (Leverkusen), Sven Bender (Dortmund), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Mario Gtze (Bayern), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern), Thomas Muller (Bayern), Mesut Oezil (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Dortmund), Sidney Sam (Leverkusen), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea)
Strikers: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Max Kruse (Monchengladbach)