Joachim Low, the head coach of the German football team, has said he no longer needs captain Bastian Schweinsteiger to start in every game in the coming years, amid concerns over the midfielder's performances for his new club, Manchester United.
The 31-year-old completed 90 minutes for the first time this season as the English Premier League club was beaten 1-2 by Swansea City in a domestic match on Sunday, with some critics highlighting the German's lack of mobility and fitness, reports Xinhua.
"Maybe I no longer need Bastian in every match now. I need him when it is important for us. Then I know that he performs and assumes responsibility and his will to win is like no other," Low said on Monday.
Germany are in the midst of Euro 2016 qualifying and take on Poland on Friday before facing Scotland three days later, but 55-year-old made it clear he is focused on how he can defend his nation's World Cup title.
"The European Championships in France is for us a great goal but our thoughts go already beyond in all plans. We have the 2018 World Cup in mind, mission, title defence," he said.
"The goal is to win both games (Poland and Scotland). I know many players of my team for many years and I know that, in games like against Poland, they are motivated to the tips of their hair," Low concluded.
