Germany coach Erich Ribbeck is to stand by 39-year-old Lothar Matthaus for Saturday's clash with England. Reports suggest the German training camp is far from happy, with a number of players resenting the selection of Matthaus for the 1-1 draw with Romania. Matthaus has been playing Major League Soccer in America for the last six months and looked to have lost his edge against the Romanians on Monday.
Captain Oliver Bierhoff, asked whether the rest of the players did not want Matthaus in the side, said: “I don't want to say anything here about it. The coach has said he will listen to our opinions and everyone will get the chance to get off his chest what he wants to say. We will speak to him in private and I hope he listens.”
But Ribbeck has made it clear he is ready to stick with Matthaus, who won his 148th cap on Monday, and brushed off claims of favouritism. He said: “Lothar is still important to my plans. He admitted he was tired after the Romania game but we showed weaknesses that can't be explained just by age and lack of condition. Lothar is a favourite of mine, but that is not why he is in the team. I cannot allow my subjective opinions on individuals to get in the way of team matters.”
“I have to do what is right for the team irrespective of my personal feelings,” he added.
