All-star Germany the ultimate test for O’Neill’s side
THE true tests start now for Northern Ireland and boss Michael O’Neill expects his new-look side will face the ultimate challenge when they take on Germany in Monday’s crunch Euro 2020 qualifier.
The Green and White Army have put themselves in the best possible position to reach next year’s finals with four wins out of four so far in Group C, but with games against Germany and Holland home and away next up, they still have the hard work to do.
This is a younger side than the one that secured qualification four years ago. Gone are the likes of Chris Brunt, Chris Baird and Gareth McAuley, while younger players such as Jamal Lewis, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Gavin Whyte play a bigger role.
‘I don’t think we’ve got the level of experience (compared to last time),’ said O’Neill.
‘We’ve not replaced Brunt with an experienced player. We’ve not replaced McAuley with an experienced player. We’ve not replaced (Aaron) Hughes with an experienced player.
‘Potentially, for some of our lads to be thrown into the game will be a massive step up in quality.
‘We won’t have that same level of international experience. It will take time. What we do have is more energy in the legs than we’ve ever had in my time. The younger players have given us that.
‘I wouldn’t say we are stronger but we have the potential to be stronger.’
Germany won their opening three qualifiers, including an opening 3-2 win in Holland, but suffered a setback on Friday night when they surrendered an early lead to lose 4-2 at home to the Dutch.
Joachim Low’s side are in a transitional phase of their own. O’Neill added: ‘Of the big names who won the World Cup, there’s not many left. Toni Kroos is possibly the only one other than (Manuel) Neuer.
‘But Germany can turn around their squad in three months and still pick a very strong squad with the level of resources they have.
‘We have to drip-feed players in over a long period of time and give players the opportunity when we’re not sure if they’re ready or not.’