Andre Schurrle Offers Solutions for Germany and Joachim Low Against Gibraltar

Germany surprised very few on Saturday night with a 7-0 win over lowly Gibraltar in their latest qualifying match of Group D, but it wasn't all smiles and pats on the back for the European giant. 

The world champions initially looked as though they might stumble through the fixture, as they did in recent friendly matches against the U.S. and Australia, when Bastian Schweinsteiger missed a penalty kick and the hosts hit the bar within the first half hour of play. 

It looked as though Joachim Low's side would be in for another frustrating affair against a team they should have little problem dispatching. But along came Andre Schurrle and things suddently began to revert back to the norm.

The Wolfsburg star managed to turn the game in Germany's favour in the 28th minute, when he stole the ball off a careless defender and calmly walked in on goal and knocked the ball past Gibraltar 'keeper Jordan Perez. It wasn't until the second half when we saw Germany really move up a gear, when Max Kruse and Karim Bellarabi got going and helped Schurrle grab three goals for his troubles on the day.

The former Chelsea forward has been an interesting topic under Low since making his debut against Sweden in 2010. Often played as a left winger but sometimes played up front, as we saw on Saturday night, Schurrle has to compete with more established names for a place in the team. 

Although the Gibraltar game will likely mean very little, the manner in which Schurrle conducted himself will give Low plenty to think about when the more troublesome Poland roll into town in September. 

Although Germany are a well-stocked side full of world-beating talent, there is a notable lack of options for Low to play around with up front. Miroslav Klose has retired from international football, Mario Gomez is not and never was a genuine option in Low's opinion, leaving Schurrle, Kruse, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze as the only real alternatives. 

Kruse, being the only real striker on this shortlist, is a no-brainer for most. However, throwing him in for the tougher matches would be a risk. The 27-year-old has proved himself in the Bundesliga and earned a move to Wolfsburg this summer, but a regular in the Germany team he ain't. 

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

On the other hand, we have Gotze and Muller, two players Low would reluctantly stick up front simply because their respective reputations demands it. Neither Bayern player particularly enjoys playing as the lone striker—both have always looked better on the wing or as traditional No. 10s—and offers very little in terms of a long-term solution.

Yet in Schurrle, Low may finally have a solution. Although the 24-year-old made his name as a winger, he has always been more of a goalscorer than a playmaker. Beat the defender and cross the ball in for somebody else? Nah—Schurrle would rather cut inside and head straight for goal. 

Gotze has all the skill and passing ability in the world, but he lacks a striker's instinct. Similarly, despite his incredible goalscoring record for Germany, Muller is much better running into the box than pottering around inside it. Schurrle, on the other hand, has always played like something of a striker, and as we saw on Saturday night, he could lead the line with confidence and composure. 

Germany now sit second in European Championship qualifying Group D, a point behind leaders Poland and two ahead of third-placed Scotland, as the table begins to take shape. With Poland visiting in just a few months time and trips to Scotland and Ireland still to come, Low knows there is very little time to continue experimenting with this squad. 

Three points against Robert Lewandowski and company is a must if the reigning world champions hope to finish first. Low needs to find Germany's next great striker now, and he may just be staring him right in the face.

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