Berlin, Sept 1: Germany coach Joachim Loew is backing Bastian Schweinsteiger to brush off his shaky start at Manchester United when he captains his country in Friday's key Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland.
The world champions host Poland in Frankfurt with Adam Nawalka's visitors top of Group D by a point from Loew's Germany, who then face third-placed Scotland in Glasgow on Monday, in two important qualifiers for Schweinsteiger's side.
An historic 2-0 defeat to Poland in Warsaw last October - the German's first loss to their neighbours - highlighted their post-Brazil hangover as Germany struggle to rediscover the form which carried them to the 2014 World Cup title.
Schweinsteiger will lead Germany for the first time since his transfer from Bayern Munich to United in July.
Loew has described the 31-year-old as "world-class" despite criticism of his fitness in United's 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Sunday, his first full appearance for his Premier League club.
"When push comes to shove, Bastian is still a world-class player," said Germany's head coach.    AFP