Loew not worried by Bayern's difficulties or fan doubts

Slow ticket sales and the substantial Bayern Munich fraction arriving for international duty under a cloud are not cause for concern for Germany coach Joachim Loew as a difficult 2018 comes to a close.

Six players nominated by Loew for the friendly with Russia on Thursday and the potential crucial Nations League match with the Netherlands on Monday played for Bayern as they lost to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

But Loew believes the contingent from the Bundesliga record champions will be able to leave domestic difficulties behind them.

"I don't have the feeling that they take problems with them to the national team," Loew told dpa.

Jerome Boateng, left out of the Germany squad this time, also played as Bayern fell seven points behind the league leaders despite dominating the first half of the 3-2 loss.

"It was the strongest game from Bayern recently," Loew said. "I had the feeling that all the players who are with us in the squad have good form."

That particularly applies to Dortmund's Marco Reus, who netted twice against Bayern. He is back with Germany after a knee problem ruled him out of the October matches and could provide a much needed boost.

"I also hope for that from him," Loew said.

Doubts from the fans are understandable for the Germany boss as the team tries to regain favour following the group stage exit from the World Cup in Russia.

"We know that we have not impressed the whole year," Loew said. "Therefore we have to work hard for everything again, also the backing of the fans and spectators

The friendly against Russia in Leipzig has sold only 29,000 of 42,000 available tickets while only 39,000 briefs have been bought for the potential Nations League showdown with the Netherlands in Gelsenkirchen.

Various perceived reasons exist for the apathy but ultimately Germany have not been winning games - they have lost six times already in 2018 and relegation from the Nations League is a strong possibility.

"We are not the number one any more but we want to be and will do better again," Loew said.

Even if the Netherlands game does not salvage a place in the top level of Nations League - and it could be academic if the Dutch defeat France in Group A on Friday - Loew is looking ahead.

"Our view goes beyond the Nations League," he said. "The European Championships in 2020 is the next big goal."

Loew is aware that the calls for bigger changes to the team are louder than ever after the 3-0 reversal to the Netherlands last month. He made more tweaks for the subsequent 2-1 loss in France.

"I know that some people are demanding a really radical alteration," he said. "But the switch must be thoughtful and well considered.

"Over the past few months we have worked intensively with the players who should play an important role in the future. But it also needs a good mix of experience and youthful freshness if you want to be successful.

"We will continue on the path we took in Paris."

Low dropped Thomas Mueller for that game and a three-man frontline of 22-year-old Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry (23) and Leroy Sane (22) brought fresh impetus to the attack.

Although the result was disappointing, the improvement was clear - but may come too late to maintain top-flight status.