Germany striker Mario Gomez will miss the rest of Euro 2016 after suffering a torn hamstring in the quarter-final win over Italy, as the world champions were left to count the cost of a bruising first competitive victory over the Azzurri.
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“France played a very good match (against Iceland)”, he said at a press conference reported by Bild in Germany and L’Equipe in France.
“I feel very sorry for Mario, who has put in strong performances”.
“We’ll have to find solutions”, said Loew, who added that the win over Italy had taken a physical and mental toll on his side.
“The quality of our squad is high, I have full confidence in all our players”.
Despite a mounting injury list, Germany coach Joachim Loew is relishing facing the Euro 2016 hosts in Thursday’s semi-final under the motto – “Bring on France”.
Germany will also be without suspended central defender Mats Hummels who has been ruled out of the semi-final after being shown a yellow card during Saturday’s fixture.
They will play the victor of Sunday s quarter-final between France and surprise packages Iceland. “It will be a great game but it won’t be a stroll in the park”.
Eriksson, who refereed the Europa League final in May, has had two previous games at the tournament, including Wales’ 3-0 win over Russian Federation in a group-stage game. “I’m looking forward to the game like I was against Italy”, Loew said.
Mario Goetze could return for Gomez, or Thomas Mueller could move inside to lead the line despite his puzzling failure to score in 10 games over two European Championships.
The last-four victors will play either Portugal or Wales in the final and there is a sense that the overall winner of the event might come from Thursday’s clash at the Stade Velodrome.
Worringly for Low, one of Khedira’s potential replacements, Schweinsteiger, is battling with a knee problem.
“Schweinsteiger had the energy needed right until the end against Italy – he was impressive”.
Loew played Michael Ballack in the Euro 2008 final, when Germany were beaten 1-0 by Spain, when the defensive midfielder was carrying a calf injury.
Joshua Kimmich, who was deployed as a wing-back against Italy, can partner Real Madrid s Toni Kroos in midfield.
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“It would be an option (to start Muller up front), but perhaps we’ll play with two strikers, I still have to weigh things up”, he said.
