Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Germany may rest players for Confederations Cup - Oliver Bierhoff

Germany may not take all of their stars to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, general manager Oliver Bierhoff has told Sport Bild.

World Cup winners Germany will be one of the eight contenders at next summer's tournament, which will take place in Russia from June 17 through to July 2.

However, Germany may not take their strongest squad for the competition, which serves as a warm-up for the 2018 World Cup.

"The Confed Cup just doesn't have the sporting significance of a World Cup or a European Championship," Bierhoff said. "So it is possible that we will not travel to Russia with the best available team."

During Euro 2016, Germany forward Thomas Muller warned that players need a "mental break" from the game every once in a while to compete at the highest level. 

Bierhoff said: "With a view to the 2018 World Cup it could make sense to allow one key player or another a longer break in the summer."

He said promising youngsters such as Bayer Leverkusen forward Julian Brandt or Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mo Dahoud could be handed the chance to make an impression internationally.

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