By Barry Whelan Jun 18, 2006, 14:28 GMT
Berlin - Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann is considering changing his winning World Cup team against Ecuador to give fringe players a chance to gain tournament experience.
Victories over Costa Rica and Poland have ensured progress to the next round, and Klinsmann insists the priority now is to beat the South Americans and win Group A.
But the coach is also looking ahead to the later stages of the tournament.
'We have considered whether to give one or two (reserve) players a chance from the beginning. It is certainly possible that there will be some changes,' assistant coach Joachim Loew said Sunday.
'We don't want a situation where as a result of injury or suspension later in the tournament a player has to play who hasn't spent a minute on the field.'
Captain Michael Ballack will definitely play despite the danger of a second yellow card which would rule him out of the last 16, Loew confirmed.
'After missing the first game through injury it is important for him to find his rhythm,' he said.
Ballack said he would not be pulling out of any tackles.
'It is difficult to hold yourself back at a World Cup, but there are situations in the game when you think 'perhaps not',' he said.
'I am experienced enough to know that, but you can't completely avoid it. I want to win, we want to play a good game and finish as group winner, and tackles are part of it. If you don't make challenges you won't win.'
Christoph Metzelder, who twisted his knee in training Saturday, has no serious injury and will be available, Loew confirmed. Metzelder was told to rest Sunday after a scan on the right knee revealed a slight ligament injury, but the central defender is expected to resume training Monday.
A German victory over Ecuador would set up a meeting with the second-placed team in Group B, most likely England or Sweden.
Klinsmann would also prefer to stay in the half of the draw which would give them games in Munich (round of 16), Berlin (quarter- final), Dortmund (semi-final) and Berlin (final) should they progress. All are the same venues of their group matches.
'We want to win this game and go into the last 16 as winner of the group. It is important for us to keep the confidence and belief high,' Loew said.
Meanwhile Klinsmann believes Loew would be a suitable candidate to succeed him after the World Cup or later
'Jogi (Joachim Loew) would have no problem taking on this job,' Klinsmann said in an interview with the weekly Welt am Sonntag newspaper.
Loew, 46, who has coached VfB Stuttgart, Fenerbahce and Austria Vienna, is responsible for tactics and training with the German national side.
His tactical experience 'is far superior to mine', said Klinsmann.
However Loew said he had not discussed the issue with Klinsmann and said he hoped to continue in the same role under the coach after the World Cup.
Klinsmann, 41, has not yet decided whether to renew his contract after the World Cup, saying his decision would depend on how Germany progress at the tournament. Then he would sit down and discuss his future with his family.
However, he has indicated he would be interested in continuing. 'I am aware that we are just at the beginning of our work,' he said earler in the week.
Whatever his decision he will continue living in California with his US wife and family despite the criticism in Germany the national team coach should be in his own country.
Klinsmann told Welt am Sonntag he was able to live 'a normal life' in California and wanted his children to be treated normally rather than as those of a former footballer and current Germany coach.
'For me it is the same. When I get off the plane in Los Angeles, no one knows me any more, no taxi driver, no one,' he said.
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