When Germany play their last test match ahead of the EURO 2008 against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday (17:30), goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will be under observation.
“Lehmann will be our number one if nothing exceptional happens”, German national team coach Joachim Löw says, but a performance as weak as against Austria in February or against Belarus on Tuesday could force Löw to rethink his decision.
Frings backs Lehmann
Lehmann has played just a few matches for Arsenal this season, and the call-up for shooting-star Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen) has increased the pressure on the veteran.
The 38-year-old still has the team's backing, however. Jens is the perfect keeper for the tournament. He has so much experience and is so cool - he knows exactly what to expect. No matter how much he played this season, he will be ready”, Torsten Frings told the “Bild” paper.
“It does matter that he performs”
But Löw's assistant Hans-Dieter Flick puts Lehmann under pressure, saying “We are convinced that Jens will hit form. But there is competition in goal, too, and it does matter that he performs. Robert Enke and Rene Adler have performed well in training and are waiting in the wings. We have three good goalkeepers.”
Defender Christoph Metzelder is another “problem child”, but Flick is “convinced that he will be on top of his game on June 8.”
Ballack demands a win
Local hero Kevin Kuranyi is expected to be given a chance in the starting line-up alongside Miroslav Klose or Mario Gomez.
“I expect a win and a good performance, so that we can enter our two days off with a positive feeling and with confidence”, German captain Michael Ballack demanded.
German line-up as expected: 1 Lehmann - 16 Lahm, 17 Mertesacker, 21 Metzelder, 2 Jansen - 4 Fritz, 8 Frings, 13 Ballack, 7 Schweinsteiger - 11 Klose, 22 Kuranyi (9 Gomez)
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