Löw on the Czech Republic: “They’ll be particularly motivated”
In World Cup qualification, reigning champions Germany currently have three points, meaning they're joint-top of Group C with Azerbaijan after one matchday. The Czech Republic and Northern Ireland played out a goalless draw in their opener and Azerbaijan defeated San Marino 1-0. The group winner will qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the runner up will have the chance to book their ticket for Russia 2018 through the play-offs.
Joachim Löw on the Czech Republic: “Although the Czechs didn’t make it past the group stages of the Euros, they played particularly well against Spain and Croatia. After the Championships, they made some big changes; they’ve brought in a new coach, who in turn has brought in some new young players. This could give them a boost so against us they’ll be particularly motivated. Therefore, we’ll have to be fully concentrated from the beginning.
Since the Czech Republic became an independent footballing nation, they have faced the DFB team six times - Germany have four wins to the Czech Republic’s two. The last encounter between the two countries was in Munich on the 17th of October 2007 in a European Championship qualifier, on this occasion the Czechs returned home with a 3-0 victory.
Northern Ireland have “true fighting spirit”
Germany have come up against Northern Ireland 15 times, with Die Mannschaft being victorious on nine occasions, losing twice and drawing four times. The two nations went head-to-head most recently in the last group stage match this of this summer’s Euros, Germany won this tie 1-0 thanks to a Mario Gomez goal and this victory ensured they topped the group.
“Memories of our Euro 2016 clash with Northern Ireland are still fresh. They are a passionate team and the players have true fighting spirit. The majority of their squad from the Euros will be in Hannover so we know what to expect,” commented Joachim Löw on the Northern Ireland side.
Four weeks after the game in Hannover, the national team will face their next challenges. These will be an away World Cup qualifier against San Marino on the 11th of November, before the DFB team close their year with a tie against four-time World Champions Italy in Milan on the 15th of the same month.
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Ilkay Gündogan is again back in the Germany national team squad. The Manchester City midfielder last played for Die Mannschaft on the 13th of November 2015 in a friendly against France, since then, he has missed every international fixture due to injury, including EURO 2016. Now however, he’s fit again and after a 330 day absence is back with the DFB team.
Also returning to Joachim Löw’s 22 man squad are Mario Gomez of VfL Wolfsburg and Jerome Boateng of Bayern München. His men will face the Czech Republic in Hamburg on the 8th of October (20:45 CEST) and Northern Ireland in Hannover on the 11th of October (20:45 CEST), both of the games being World Cup qualifiers. These two players weren’t in the last national team squad due to muscle injuries which they picked up at the European Championships in France. Sebastian Rudy of 1899 Hoffenheim has again been picked after he just missed out on the final 23 man squad for the Euros.
Delight at Boateng, Rudy, Gomez and Gündogan’s returns
Joachim Löw had this to say about his squad and the upcoming games: “These two home games are very important for us. After starting qualification well in Norway we also want to win the next games and maintain our position at the top of the table. The players who are in the squad have found their rhythm again with their club teams over the past few weeks. These are the players we’re banking on right now and they know what’s expected of them. We want to build on our performance in Oslo."
He continued: “I’m particularly happy that Ilkay Gündogan, Jerome Boateng and Mario Gomez are back. Also, we never forgot about Sebastian Rudy and the same will apply to Jonathan Tah, Niklas Süle and Stefan Kuntz, who this time are with the U21s.”
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Löw on the Czech Republic: “They’ll be particularly motivated”
In World Cup qualification, reigning champions Germany currently have three points, meaning they're joint-top of Group C with Azerbaijan after one matchday. The Czech Republic and Northern Ireland played out a goalless draw in their opener and Azerbaijan defeated San Marino 1-0. The group winner will qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the runner up will have the chance to book their ticket for Russia 2018 through the play-offs.
Joachim Löw on the Czech Republic: “Although the Czechs didn’t make it past the group stages of the Euros, they played particularly well against Spain and Croatia. After the Championships, they made some big changes; they’ve brought in a new coach, who in turn has brought in some new young players. This could give them a boost so against us they’ll be particularly motivated. Therefore, we’ll have to be fully concentrated from the beginning.
Since the Czech Republic became an independent footballing nation, they have faced the DFB team six times - Germany have four wins to the Czech Republic’s two. The last encounter between the two countries was in Munich on the 17th of October 2007 in a European Championship qualifier, on this occasion the Czechs returned home with a 3-0 victory.
Northern Ireland have “true fighting spirit”
Germany have come up against Northern Ireland 15 times, with Die Mannschaft being victorious on nine occasions, losing twice and drawing four times. The two nations went head-to-head most recently in the last group stage match this of this summer’s Euros, Germany won this tie 1-0 thanks to a Mario Gomez goal and this victory ensured they topped the group.
“Memories of our Euro 2016 clash with Northern Ireland are still fresh. They are a passionate team and the players have true fighting spirit. The majority of their squad from the Euros will be in Hannover so we know what to expect,” commented Joachim Löw on the Northern Ireland side.
Four weeks after the game in Hannover, the national team will face their next challenges. These will be an away World Cup qualifier against San Marino on the 11th of November, before the DFB team close their year with a tie against four-time World Champions Italy in Milan on the 15th of the same month.
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