Joachim Low defends young Germany players after storm-hit defeat to Slovakia: ‘All four have the necessary quality’

Joshua Kimmich of Germany looks on during the international friendly match between Germany and Slovakia at WWK-Arena on May 29, 2016 in Augsburg, Germany. Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

BERLIN // An inexperienced Germany team suffered a self-confidence sapping 3-1 defeat to Slovakia in Sunday's storm-affected friendly as the world champions fielded four new caps ahead of Euro 2016.

Slovakia, who will make their European Championship debut in Group B alongside Wales, England and Russia next month, deserved their win in Augsburg as Germany manager Joachim Low blooded a youthful quartet.

A heavy storm in Bavaria at half time meant the break was extended to 39 minutes and it was Slovakia who profited from the soggy second-half conditions by adding their third goal.

Low was more relieved that none of his players picked up injuries rather than bothered by the result.

“I have never experienced such a long half-time break. The pitch wasn’t undangerous and, thank god, nothing happened” injury wise, said Low.

“Combinations were impossible at the start of the second half.

“We did well in the first half-hour, but we had a few problems in defence.

“You can’t expect everything from the young players, but all four have the necessary quality.”

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Germany took an early lead when Mario Gomez converted a penalty, while goals from Marek Hamsik and Michal Duris just before half time put Slovakia 2-1 up at the break.

A calamitous error by Germany’s replacement goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen then gifted Slovakia’s Juraj Kucka the only goal of the second half.

Centre-back Jerome Boateng, who was at the centre of an off-field political storm after a right-wing politician said most Germans would not want to have him as a neighbour, was the only member of the Germany team who had started the World Cup final two years ago.

Banners reading “Jerome, move in next to us” showed the feelings of most Germany fans.

Low gave out two new caps in each half to goalkeeper Bernd Leno, 24, and defender Joshua Kimmich, 21, then 20-year-old midfielders Julian Weigl and Julian Brandt.

Schalke’s Leroy Sane, also just 20, made only his second appearance in the attacking midfield role behind Gomez.

The hosts took the lead when Mario Goetze was fouled in the area and Gomez banged home the 13th-minute penalty.

Napoli attacking midfielder Hamsik made Slovakia’s first clear chance count by drilling home the equaliser on 40 minutes and his long-range shot gave Leno no chance on his debut.

The goal fired up the visitors who went ahead a minute before the break when striker Duris slipped his marker and floated his header past Leno.

The skies opened during the half-time break as torrential hail, then rain, pelted the pitch and the black clouds mirrored Low’s dark scowls as he trudged off.

The match resumed with pools of water on the surface and Slovakia profited from the deluge.

Kucka’s speculative shot looked set to be gathered by Ter Stegen, on for Leno, only for the ball to roll between his legs on 52 minutes.

It was virtually identical to the own-goal the Barcelona shot-stopper leaked against the USA in Germany’s 4-3 friendly defeat in Washington in June 2013.

Low must now cut four names before submitting his 23-man squad for Euro 2016 before midnight on Tuesday while Slovakia coach Jan Kozak is set to name his on Monday.

Germany have one more warm-up match, against Hungary in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, the same day Slovakia host Northern Ireland in Trnava.

Germany play their first Euro 2016 match in Group C against Ukraine on June 12 in Lille, the day after Slovakia open their campaign against Wales in Bordeaux.

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