Loew leaves out Lahm, Schweinsteiger for friendly

BERLIN - Agence France-Presse

Joachim Loew (L), coach of Germany's national soccer team arrives with Wolfgang Niersbach, president of the German soccer federation (DFB) at Frankfurt's airport June 29, 2012. REUTERS photo

Germany coach Joachim Loew has decided to rest a number of players, including Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, for the friendly match against Argentina next week.

Loew has also chosen only to include only one acknowledged centre-forward, Miroslav Klose, in his 19-man squad, in the absence of Mario Gomez, who is recovering from a heel operation.

Besides Lahm and Schweinsteigter, Loew has decided to leave out Tim Wiese in goal, Per Mertesacker in defence and Lukas Podolski up front, from the 22 who went to Euro 2012.

Young midfielders Sven Bender, 23, and 19-year-old Julian Draxler, however, keep their places.

Germany squad for the friendly against Argentina in Frankfurt on August 15: Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanovre) Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Holger Badstuber (both Bayern Munich), Lars Bender (Leverkusen), Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer (Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke) Midfielders: Sven Bender, Mario Goetze, Ilkay Guendogan, Marco Reus (all Dortmund), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Mesut Oezil, Sami Khedira (both Real Madrid), Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller (both Bayern Munich), Andre Schuerrle (Leverkusen) Striker: Miroslav Klose (Lazio)