24.03.2010
Adler remains number one for Germany's Loew
Germany coach Joachim Loew insisted Wednesday Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler remains his first-choice goalkeeper going into the World Cup, despite media criticism of the German number one.
After Argentina beat Germany 1-0 in a friendly earlier this month, Adler was slammed for coming off his line early which led to Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain scoring the 45th-minute goal which gave his side victory.
And the 25-year-old has conceded eight goals in Bayer's last three Bundesliga games which have drawn rumbles of discontent from the German media.
"We do not throw our decisions on the scrapheap just because of every alleged error," Loew told Munich newspaper TZ.
"For us, it is only about the overall impression - and we still see Rene Adler at the front."
After last November's tragic suicide of Hanover's Robert Enke, Schalke 04's Manuel Neuer and Bremen's Tim Wiese are Adler's main rivals for Germany's number one shirt and Loew says the trio will all go to the World Cup.
"For us, there is no reason to doubt the strength of our goalkeepers," Loew told German daily Bild.
"Adler, Neuer and Wiese will travel with us to the World Cup.
"We have already said, it is in his hands whether Rene remains the number one goalkeeper.
"Mistakes happen to everyone sometimes and we have three strong goalkeepers."
Loew is set to announce his squad for the World Cup the week before the Bundesliga finishes on May 8, but says he was grateful for the defeat to Argentina.
"Quite simply, because it showed us where we made mistakes," said Loew.
"Now we know what we must improve.
"I have quite clear images in my head now and a precise plan before we go into the World Cup."
Source: © 2010 AFP - Ronny Hartmann
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