Germany coach Joachim Low said today that he will experiment with his first-choice team to build on his side's FIFA World Cup performance™ as he aims to lead the nation to their fourth European crown.
With UEFA EURO 2012, to be hosted by the Ukraine and Poland, set to start in Warsaw on 8 June next year, Germany are ten-points clear at the top of their qualifying group and virtually assured a place.
Having finished third at last year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Low, who took charge in 2006, says he will use next season to find the perfect combinations in the build up to next year's European championships.
"I will use the next six months to try and experiment," he told Bild. "Of course, there is a proven core of players, but I do think there will be a lot of movement in the national side over the next year."
There is a proven core of players, but I do think there will be a lot of movement in the national side over the next year.
Joachim Low, Germany coach
Germany can complete their EURO 2012 qualification if they beat Austria in Gelsenkirchen on 9 September. They also plan to play friendlies against the Ukraine, in Kiev on 11 November, and the Netherlands, in Hamburg on 15 November, which Low says he will use to test different combinations.
"I am not of the opinion that I need to know my strongest side a full six months before the European championships. On the contrary, I will probably use a totally different team against Holland than the one which will start EURO 2012. I only know that I need to have decided on my starting side four weeks before the tournament begins."
Low has an embarrassment of riches up front in with Mario Gomez scoring at will after 28 goals in 32 league games for Bayern last season, while Miroslav Klose is closing in on Gerd Mueller's all-time record of 68 goals for Germany.
Having spent much of last season on the bench at Bayern, Klose signed for Italian side Lazio last week and Loew praised the 33-year-old's decision to move, having said he wants all his players to have regular football next season.
"It would not have been easy for Miro to sit on the bench for another season," said Low. "Mario had a strong season at Bayern and with an eye on EURO 2012, it is important that Miroslav plays. It is a positive that he faces a new challenge with a new club and gets regular competitive games."
It is in my thoughts that they could even play together in the future and to play in another system. They are both prepared to play like that.
Low on German strikers Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose
With Germany currently playing with a lone striker, Low has not ruled out the possibility of using both forwards in tandem. "They are the best strikers Germany have, behind them I see no real alternatives," he said. "It is in my thoughts that they could even play together in the future and to play in another system. They are both prepared to play like that."
The coach also said he is willing to look at where new Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes plays Germany captain Philipp Lahm next season before deciding whether his skipper plays on the left or right side of defence in the national side.
""I will be talking with Jupp Heynckes to see in position he plans on using Philipp," Low revealed. "It is possible that I may base my decision on that."
The German boss said he had no news on when he will meet with former captain Michael Ballack to discuss whether the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder still has a role to play in the national side.