LOW’S MEN ARE FLYING HIGH AGAIN
AS arguably the most laid-back manager in international football, it takes a lot to rile Germany’s World Cupwinning boss, Joachim Low. Leading his nation to the ultimate prize in Brazil last July has also afforded him the luxury of shrugging off any criticism that has come his way.
Even before last summer’s success, Low regularly topped the country’s annual poll when it came to selecting the most popular public figure in Germany.
His openness and straight-talking has endeared him to his fellow countrymen and during his regular appearances in front of a microphone, he has made no secret of his admiration for Pep Guardiola and the football philosophy he fostered at Barcelona and now at Bayern Munich.
So to have his team compared to the pragmatism of Jose Mourinho rather than the panache of Guardiola was always going to raise his heckles.
The post-Brazil crash was inevitable, although followers of the German national team were dismayed by the paucity of performance in the Group D loss to Poland last October and the tame draw at home to the Republic of Ireland. Even against minnows Gibraltar, there was no spark.
Friendly matches offered little respite either as both the USA and Argentina inflicted defeats. Low refused to press the panic button, however, confidently maintaining his team would have their game head on by the time the European qualifying campaign was reaching its conclusion. .
His faith was vindicated on Friday night when Germany produced their best display since trouncing Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup semi-final.
And there was an added spring in Low’s step afterwards. He knew his team had finally re-emerged from a 14-month period of ordinariness. He knew this was more Pep than Jose.
‘Overall, I was delighted with the performance,’ declared Low. ‘Considering that we did not do so well last season, it was extremely satisfying.
‘The only goal from Friday was to win the game and get to the top of the group before we travelled to Scotland.
‘We have always shown our worth when it counted and when the going got tough.
‘While it was difficult after winning the World Cup, I knew my players will be there when it mattered against Poland. I knew they would raise their game.’
In the wake of Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker both retiring from international football, the rebuilding process was never going to happen overnight.
Their contribution has been missed as much off the pitch as well as on it with the influential pair being part of the four-man player council, along with Sami Khedira, who has been sidelined for the best part of the last year due to injury. With three of his four dressingroom spokesmen missing, Low was aware his team needed to find a new voice.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has stepped into the breach and the world’s best shot-stopper feels Germany are now singing from the same hymn sheet again. Neuer said: ‘ We had to pick it up and show something. It has been a difficult period, but I think we have now developed as a team since the World Cup. It was time we showed that and we did against Poland.’
Germany’s resurgence could not have come at a worse possible time for a Scotland side now in serious danger of missing out on a play-off spot, never mind automatic qualification.
Gordon Strachan’s men appear to have lost their way and the urgency which characterised the early part of their campaign was nowhere to be seen in their defeat by Georgia.
In contrast, the Germans are back on track, with Mario Gotze producing an inspirational display against the Poles in Frankfurt.
He scored twice and tortured Poland right-back Lukasz Piszczek so badly the Borussia Dortmund defender was hauled off before halftime to spare him any further punishment. Alan Hutton beware.
‘Mario was very good. He scored two goals against Poland and you cannot ask for more than that,’ said team-mate Toni Kroos.
‘We are playing well again and are now feeling much more confident ahead of our game in Glasgow.’
Meanwhile, former Rangers goalkeeper Stefan Klos expects a ruthless Germany team to put their stamp on first place in Group D with a victory at Hampden.
Klos said: ‘I expect Germany to win now. They have come third to second to first.
‘They had a slow start but I think that was understandable after winning the World Cup then to start qualifying for the European Championship knowing that even the second is definitely through.
‘There wasn’t much time for a holiday last summer. They were tired and I think they found it hard to start again. But they are really up and running now.
‘Germany top and Scotland second would be great. I’d love to see the Scots at the Finals and, before Friday, I thought there was a big chance.
‘But that result in Georgia makes it hard for them, although the Scots always play well against the better teams.’