Berthold: Loew should rest stars

Former Germany defender Thomas Berthold said Joachim Loew should rest players for his side’s final Euro 2012 group game with Denmark.

The Germans need just a draw to progress to the quarter-finals, having won their two previous games against Portugal and the Netherlands.

And the former VfB Stuttgart defender, 47, told Goal.com that the likes of Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus are ready to step in for first-teamers Lukas Podolski and Thomas Mueller in the game against the Danes.

Berthold also said he feels the same way about Mesut Oezil, who has been replaced by Toni Kroos in both of Germany’s first two games.

“Mesut Ozil looks a bit tired after his long season with Real Madrid,” Berthold said.

“He could also be played for one half-time only (against Denmark), or brought in later on as a substitute.”

Berthold also dismissed the possibility of Loew adopting a three-man defence during the tournament, an idea recently raised in the German media.

“I do not think much of that idea at all! If one has three world-class players at the back, like Spain, who can also play with an individual marking, then fine,” he said.

“But in our team we have no such players, no Sergio Ramos. Therefore, stay away.”