Key Issues That'll Shape Germany's Euro 2016 Qualifier with Republic of Ireland
Germany welcome the Republic of Ireland to the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, with Joachim Low's side look to curb their recent poor run of form and get their Euro 2016 qualification campaign back on track.
Following a rough victory over Scotland and a shock 2-0 defeat to Poland on Saturday, Martin O'Neill's side look far from the ideal opposition to play at the moment, as Germany look to regroup and get their bearings back in this toughest of groups.
Ireland have wasted little time stating their intent for automatic qualification, kicking off their campaign with a 2-1 win away to Georgia before pummeling Gibraltar, 7-0, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
As such, Tuesday's match stands out as an absolutely must win for Low and his wary German side. Drop anymore points and table-topping Poland may begin to pull away, leaving Germany to fight for second place with the rest of the group.
Germany Need Points on the Table
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As things currently stand, the world champions sit below Poland, Ireland and Scotland respectively in their qualification group for Euro 2016.
Although there is still plenty of football still to be played, against notably weaker teams, Germany desperately need to get their act together and start racking up points.
As now seems to be the case, these four nations will undoubtedly take points from one another over the course of the campaign, so Low's side will have to ensure that they pick up their maximum points on home soil.
A win against Ireland on Tuesday will not only dampen their spirits following a fantastic start to the campaign, but it will also drag Germany back into the reckoning at the top of the table.
A comprehensive victory and all three points against the Irish will do this troubled side the world of good.
Low Still Searching for Klose Replacement
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One of the most notable aspects of Germany's defeat in Warsaw on Saturday night wasn't the defensive blunders or the three points dropped, it was the manner in which Low's side simply couldn't stick the ball in to the back of the net.
According to WhoScored.com, Germany had no fewer than 29 shots on the Polish goal, yet Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and Co. simply couldn't convert their chances.
Muller's role as the lone striker was perhaps the most notable tactical move from Low throughout the match. Often regarded as better suited to a wide role, as he plays at Bayern Munich, it's clear the German coach had little choice but to lump the Bavarian forward into an uncomfortable position through necessity.
Germany are in desperate need of a standout striker in the mould of former goalscorer Miroslav Klose, who always offered a genuine, direct route to goal.
Yet, for now, as strikers such as Mario Gomez remain sidelined with injury, Low has little to choose from between Muller, Max Kruse and Lukas Podolski—three forwards who seem to offer very little for Germany in that position.
Ireland Look Resilient and in Form
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Although Germany will now be well aware of lesser sides looking to steal points from them, Ireland pose a genuine threat to the assumption that Low's side are favourites in this game.
Martin O'Neill's team have looked resilient—as his sides always do—and with assistant manager Roy Keane on the touchline, it should be a game that will demand the very best from Germany's stars.
Ireland have made a great start to their qualifying campaign, with a well-deserved 2-1 win in Georgia followed by a resounding 7-0 victory over minnows Gibraltar in Dublin.
Although neither side is comparable to the the likes of Germany, Ireland can only beat the teams in front of them.
Ireland Could Punish Wary Germany Defence
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If there's one thing that hasn't looked quite right for Germany since returning from the World Cup, it's their back line.
Although Low's sides have never been renowned for their defensive aptitude, the manner in which Jerome Boateng and Co. have conceded goals against Scotland and Poland is disheartening.
Although Ireland are likely to take a more pragmatic approach on Tuesday, star striker Robbie Keane has already racked up three goals this campaign, while Everton midfielder Aiden McGeady has picked up two as Ireland have scored an impressive total of nine goals in just two games so far in the group.
If O'Neill's team are to hurt their hosts on Tuesday, it'll be in attack against this cautious and demoralised defence.
Germany Lack Bite in Midfield
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As we've seen with this Germany side over the past two months, the current midfield has offered very little to get excited about while also proving inept at controlling and dominating opposition players.
Low's decision to persist with playing Toni Kroos as a holding central midfielder is one that has baffled Bayern and now Real Madrid fans to no end.
Despite being one of the nation's most talented players, Kroos doesn't look himself when asked to play 20 yards behind his favoured No. 10 role.
Christoph Kramer has looked bright in patches, but he is currently being asked to play as the only true defensive midfielder in a very attacking side.
As we saw against Scotland and Poland, Germany's current defensive-midfield pairing offer little physicality and defensive cover against pragmatic and hardened opposition midfielders. It's why Low's team can't dominate matches like they used to and why they're now dropping important points.
In the coach's defence, there's little he can do while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira are out injured but perhaps throwing more defensive, physical players such as Mats Hummels, Matthias Ginter or Sebastian Rudy in against a very determined Irish midfield wouldn't be the worst idea.
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