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Löw: 'Scotland will demand our best'

Harding, JonathanSeptember 6, 2014

Both coach Joachim Löw and winger Andre Schürrle have warned against underestimating Scotland ahead of their opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Dortmund. Schürrle said he was satisfied - if not ecstatic - as a possible sub.

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Fußball Bundestrainer Joachim Löw
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Thissen

After a sobering friendly defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night, Germany focus their attention on the serious task of qualifying for Euro 2016. Their first game in Group D is at home against Scotland on Sunday night, and both coach Joachim Löw and Andre Schürrle spoke to the press on Saturday afternoon ahead of the game.

Löw is by no means underestimating Scotland, saying coach Gordon Strachan has given them structure.

Nationalmannschaft Deutschland Fußball Training
Less than two months after the final, Germany's next competitive game is nighImage: picture-alliance/dpa

"Scotland don't play typically British (football) anymore. They lean more towards a combination style of play. They will demand our best," Löw said.

After question marks about the defense, Löw did confirm that Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng would return to the center of defense to partner Benedikt Höwedes. Löw didn't confirm who would start in attack, although he hoped support would be given to Mario Gomez - jeered on Wednesday as he failed to impress against Argentina.

"I expect a fair reception for him. He's only played one game at Fiorentina and whistles [from the crowd] won't help anyone."

Götze's homecoming

In response to the possible inexperience on show against Argentina, Löw acknowledged that his team is still growing. "We have a lot of young players who need more time to reach the same world class level and quality as Boateng, Hummels and Mertesacker."

Germany will host Scotland in Dortmund on Sunday night, which could provide a tricky homecoming for former Signal Iduna Park favorite Mario Götze.

Fußball Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund FC Bayern München Götze Tor
Dortmund homecomings for Götze tend to prove awkwardImage: Reuters

"Dortmund is famous for its fantastic support - we've had good experiences there. Mario scored the winner in the World Cup final. I'm sure the German supporters will cheer him on," said Löw.

"I think Dortmund's supporters are clever enough to support our players," added Chelsea star Andre Schürrle.

Schürrle, who assisted Götze's winner in the final, was quizzed on his role as a super sub. "Of course I prefer to play in the starting eleven, but playing as a super-sub at the World Cup did me no harm at all."

Having faced Scottish striker Steven Naismith - a "very good player who scores a lot of goals" according to the former Leverkusen winger - in the Premier League, Schürrle has first hand experience of how uncomfortable Scotland can be. Nevertheless, in a "relatively tough group," Schürrle is still "confident that we will finish top." The game kicks off at 8:45 p.m. local time (1845 UTC).

Possible line-ups:

Germany: Neuer -Grosskreutz, Höwedes, Boateng, Durm - Kramer, Kroos - Müller, Reus, Schürrle - Götze

Scotland: McGregor - Hutton, Hanley, Martin, Whittaker - Fletcher, McArthur - Maloney, Morrison, Bannan - Naismith