Norway vs Germany - Germany looking to make flying start



Posted Saturday, September 03, 2016 by PA

Germany coach Joachim Low wants his side to avoid a repeat of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign when they take on Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Although they ended up reaching this summer's finals in France courtesy of a top-placed finish in Group D, Germany struggled at the outset in qualifying for the European Championship as they claimed just one win from their first three matches.

The world champions also failed to hit top gear in several other group matches, losing to the Republic of Ireland and scraping past Georgia at home, and Low is determined to do better on the road to Russia 2018 - beginning in Oslo this weekend.

He told a press conference on Saturday: "We've not come to Norway to enjoy the beautiful scenery, we are here to win.

"It was hard for us in the qualification round for Euro 2016 because we lost our first away game and I don't want such an average qualifying campaign this time.

"It's very important for us to be fully focused tomorrow night and to get three points."

Midfielder Toni Kroos added: "We are going to qualify for Russia, I can guarantee that.

"I can't say how we will do it because the Bundesliga is only one week old so it could be a bit hit and miss, but that shouldn't be an excuse for not winning games."

Germany warmed up for Sunday's clash with a 2-0 friendly win against Finland, although at times it appeared they were just going through the motions and there has been a lot of criticism in the German media of the value of such a game.

Low defended the performance, however, saying it was an important fixture - not least because it gave the national team an opportunity to thank the departing Bastian Schweinsteiger for his services.

"Schweinsteiger has played more games than all of the other players on the field so you need games like that to give these younger players something," said Low, who has named goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as his side's new captain following Schweinsteiger's retirement.

"That's why I always push to have games like that."

It gave him the opportunity to take a closer look at Max Meyer and Julian Brandt, who Low says are "definitely" options for Sunday night.

"They both showed they have the quality to play, but on the other hand they were involved in the Olympics so we've got to see if they can cope with the strain," Low said.

"Having said that, I am not afraid of fielding one or both of them."

With Julian Draxler back in training, Low has a fully-fit squad of players to choose from as Germany look to continue an impressive record against Norway which has seen them win 14 of their previous 21 meetings, while losing just twice.

That makes worrying reading for Norway, while a 1-0 home defeat to Belarus on Wednesday was hardly the best preparation for the Scandinavian nation either.

However, coach Per-Mathias Hogmo is not about to throw in the towel against the defending champions, saying in Aftenpsoten: "It is the most favourable time to meet them.

"The Bundesliga began last weekend. If it is beneficial to meet Germany at any time, is it now.

"They will have most of the ball, but I think it is possible to punish them on the counter-attack. We have a lot of speed in attack."

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