Klinsmann still tinkering with Germany's lineup

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(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-01 13:35

DUESSELDORF, Germany -- With the World Cup approaching fast, Juergen Klinsmann is still tinkering with Germany's lineup.

Even through there are only nine days left until Germany kicks off the monthlong tournament against Costa Rica in Munich, Klinsmann hasn't settled on who will start.

Friday's game against Colombia is Germany's last tuneup before the tournament and comes exactly a week before the start of the World Cup.

Don't draw too many conclusions from the game, though, Klinsmann said Wednesday.

"It could happen that the lineup that starts against Colombia is the same one that starts against Costa Rica," he said. "But we are still testing."

Klinsmann was speaking a day after a 2-2 draw against another World Cup team, Japan, once again exposed glaring gaps in Germany's inexperienced defense.

Japan's speedy players quickly moved the ball forward in well-drilled moves and Naohiro Takahara scored twice for a 2-0 Japan lead. Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger replied late for Germany to salvage the draw.

"We are going to make a detailed analysis about every player," Klinsmann said. "A chain of errors led to their goals. We will never have an entirely error-free game, but at least we have to reduce their numbers."

Klinsmann is hoping that defender Philipp Lahm, who had elbow surgery two weeks ago, will be able to play against Colombia.

Lahm's backup, Marcell Jansen, hasn't lived up to expectations and has done little offensively on the left side.

Arne Friedrich is out of form and Klinsmann tried out Bernd Schneider on the right flank against Japan. Schneider is a midfielder and he is not entirely comfortable in the more defensive role.

The central defenders have done little to inspire confidence.

Per Mertesacker was caught flat-footed against Japan a few times too many. Christoph Metzelder is still struggling to find his timing after two Achilles' tendon operations and a torn calf muscle that he took into Germany's training camp before the World Cup.

Robert Huth, who missed Tuesday's game with an ankle injury, has seen little playing time with Chelsea this season.

Klinsmann raised some eyebrows when he recalled central defender Jens Nowotny, who had not played for Germany since Euro 2004.

Nowotny, 32, came in for Metzelder on Tuesday and Japan promptly scored twice, with Nowotny out of position badly on the first and partly to blame for the second. He missed half of the season after his fourth knee operation for torn ligaments.

Klinsmann has defended Nowotny, saying he played a "very important role" in the team with his experience. But that role may be reduced to counseling younger players from the bench.

At least Klinsmann's other decision that caused much controversy in Germany -- picking Jens Lehmann over Oliver Kahn -- has been justified.

Lehmann pulled off half a dozen saves that prevented Japan from scoring more goals and probably winning the match.

"Without Jens, we would not have gotten a draw," Klinsmann said.

Captain Michael Ballack returned after missing four days of practice with an ankle injury and played ineffectively on the right side of the midfield, somewhere he has rarely played.

About the only part of Klinsmann's team that has functioned well is the striker duo of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, with support from Bastian Schweinsteiger.

After analyzing their own mistakes, Klinsmann's players will get a briefing on non-qualifier Colombia, which beat Poland 2-1 on Tuesday. Poland is one of Germany's Group A opponents in the World Cup.

Klinsmann picked Colombia as his team's final tuneup match because it resembles Ecuador, Germany's last group opponent.