Captain Manuel Neuer challenges Germany to thrown down marker for Joachim Loew's swansong

Captain Manuel Neuer wants Germany to prove themselves in the upcoming international break ahead of coach Joachim Loew’s final tournament in charge at Euro 2020. Their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier against Iceland in Duisburg on Thursday is Germany’s first international since their humiliating 6-0 thrashing by Spain last November. After nearly 15 years as coach, Loew will step down after the European Championship from 11 June 11 July and has “challenged” his team to find form. Germany also face Romania away on Sunday, then North Macedonia again in Duisburg three days later. “The national coach is right. We’re all challenged — we have big plans,” said Neuer in a press conference on Tuesday. “We want to get into the swing of things. We can’t make any more mistakes.” Neuer says Germany have extra motivation for the tournament, where they face World Cup winners France, reigning champions Portugal and Hungary in their group. “We all have ambitious goals and want to crown (Loew’s) successful era with a great finish,” said Neuer. “(Loew) is very motivated and ambitious. He wants it at all costs. He wants to quit as successfully as possible.” Loew has called up five Premier League players after Germany relaxed some of its COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, Chelsea trio Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Antonio Ruediger plus Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno are in a ‘working quarantine’ within the Germany camp. The five are kept separate apart from training, team meetings and matches. “We are not in contact with the UK players, who have separate tables compared to the players who live in mainland Europe,” said Neuer. Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus said the squad are just happy to be able to play, with the rest of Germany still in lockdown. “There are worse things than being in a bubble with the national team for 10 days,” said the 24-year-old. “In a certain way it has become everyday life in Germany.”