Davis:DozengetanybetterthanGermans
NORTHERN IRELAND skipper Steven Davis reckons taking on Germany is like facing 12 men ahead of tonight’s Group C decider.
And Michael O’Neill’s side have even practised as much in training to get to grips with how well their opponents hold on to the ball.
Davis and Co have lost twice to the world champs in the last 16 months with Joachim Low’s men needing a point at Windsor Park to reach the World Cup finals.
The Southampton midfielder said: “When you play Germany it’s like you’re up against an extra man.
“They’re very clever in their movements and the positions they take up. You have to be fully concentrated for the whole match.
“It will be physically and mentally draining and if you switch off for one second they can hurt you.” O’Neill has had his men playing without the ball to prepare them.
The Irish boss said: “We created a situation where we played with a higher number of players in the opposition team to try to give them an insight into how the game will be. We played with an extra player in certain positions to create the level of possession they may have and how to counteract that.” Northern Ireland have all but sealed a play-off spot ahead of taking on a German side who have won all eight of their qualifiers.
And O’Neill said: “The players have done the work, guaranteed second spot and put ourselves in a really strong position for the play-offs. Whatever happens will not take away from that.”