The Germany coach Joachim Low has revealed he could move his captain Philipp Lahm to the left side of defence in a reshuffle. Low said he was considering the change in an attempt to rebalance the German backline.

He is likely to employ the new approach in Thursday’s friendly against Israel, with Lahm, capped 85 times, on the left and his Bayern Munich team-mate Jerome Boateng at right-back.

The coach will decide whether to use it on a regular basis prior to Germany’s first Euro 2012 game against Portugal in Lviv on 9 June.

“Against Israel, Philipp will start on the left because I want to try something out, but it means nothing as to how we will play against Portugal in the first group game,” he said.

“The decision [on where Lahm will play at the Euros] will be taken next week. I see this game as a test for us because I want to try a few things to see how some players adapt to them.”

Low rested his team’s Bayern Munich players against Switzerland in the aftermath of the Champions League final. Mats Hummels and Per Mertesacker were paired at the heart of defence, and although they struggled Low said: “It may not have worked 100% in the co-ordination, but the two can work outstandingly together.”

He said a win in the Israel friendly “would give us the push towards the tournament”, adding: “But the Euro euphoria with fans and in Germany will start climbing next week regardless.”