Goal-scorer Gomez pulls out of training

Striker Mario Gomez pulled out of training with a knee injury on Sunday having scored the first goal in Germany’s 2-0 win over South Africa in a friendly on Saturday.

With Germany facing minnows Azerbaijan on Wednesday in Hanover with World Cup qualifier points at stake, Bayern Munich’s Gomez pulled out of training in Cologne on Sunday complaining of pain in his right knee and received treatment.

The rest of the squad trained without problems and Germany coach Joachim Loew said he was happy with Saturday night’s performance, having played a 4-3-3 system rather than the traditional 4-4-2 formation.

Loew used the speed of 20-year-old wingers Mesut Oezil and Marko Marin to exploit space down the flanks for lone striker Gomez, while Werder Bremen’s Oezil scored Germany’s second goal.

“My team did well both in terms of result and performance,” said Loew who criticised his team last month when they struggled to a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in Baku in a World Cup qualifier.

“That was a clear improvement in relation to our last few games, we were more fluid on the ball.

“We have been together for a week now and you could see the benefits of the extra training.

“There are still a few things which don’t fit into the way we play.

“There is still some room for improvement in defence, Arne Friedrich and Heiko Westermann put in good claims for their centre-back places.

“Our structure has improved greatly.”

Oezil put in the most eye-catching performance of the night having been handed his first start for Germany and Loew singled him out.

“Mesut Oezil brought a lot of creativity and was technically excellent, he has a good eye and can produce some dangerous situations for us.

“He played very well in attack, but he still has things to learn on tracking back, but I am very happy with his performance.”

In front of his home crowd, Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler gave a good account of himself, but his rival Robert Enke will be in Germany’s Number One shirt for Wednesday’s qualifier.

Loew kept his cards close to his chest when asked if he will use the 4-3-3 formation again on Wednesday.

Germany lead Group Four by a single point and face their most important game of the qualification campaign so far when they take on Russia in Moscow on October 10.