BY ALAN TEMPLE – Capital City Press
Joachim Low has backed Germany to survive a “hostile” Hampden after naming his squad for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Low was full of praise for the progress made by Scotland under manager Gordon Strachan, insisting the old reliance on strength and route one football is a thing of the past.
Germany claimed a narrow 2-1 win over Strachan’s side in Dortmund in September, with the visitors unlucky not to emerge with a point following Ikechi Anya’s memorable equaliser.
However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the power of the Hampden roar – and the World champions have been told to be wary of an electric atmosphere at the national stadium on September 7.
Germany, who currently sit in second spot in Group D, one point behind Poland and two ahead of Scotland, host Poland three days before their trip to Glasgow.
Low lauded: “Scotland have long moved on from relying on their physicality. They play very good football, and always look to play their way out of trouble.
“Furthermore, they have kept their traditional strengths. They work very hard, have high levels of motivation, and always demand a good performance.
“In terms of volume, we are expecting a hostile atmosphere in Glasgow, as the Scottish fans will passionately support their team right up to the final whistle.
“Qualification is in our hands and so is winning the group. But our goal can only be to win these two games, and I’m assuming that we’ll do that. We want to – and will – pick it up a notch. We are ready.”
Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has been handed his maiden international call-up, while captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has been selected for the first time since joining Manchester United in the summer.
Low told dfb.de: “Emre has developed well at Liverpool and he is versatile. We like his presence and dynamism. Now we just want to get to know him better over the next few days.”
Germany: Neuer (Bayern Munich), Ter Stegen (Barcelona), Zieler (Hannover), Boateng (Bayern Munich), Can (Liverpool), Ginter and Hummels (both Borussia Dortmund), Hector (Köln), Mustafi (Valencia), Rudy (Hoffenheim), Bellarabi and Kramer (both Bayer Leverkusen), Gundogan and Reus (both Borussia Dortmund), Kroos (Real Madrid), Muller (Bayern Munich), Ozil (Arsenal), Podolski (Galatasaray), Schurrle (Wolfsburg), Schweinsteiger (Manchester United), Gotze (Bayern Munich), Kruse (Wolfsburg), Volland (Hoffenheim)
