Germany Told To 'leave No Doubt' At Minnows Estonia
Zeeshan Mehtab Published October 12, 2019 | 08:10 AM
Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Oct, 2019 ) :Germany have been told to rack up an emphatic win in Sunday's Euro 2020 qualifier at minnows Estonia in the race for top spot in a tight group.
After they beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in Rotterdam on Thursday, the Netherlands sit atop Group C.
Germany, the Dutch and the Irish all have 12 points with Northern Ireland having played one game more.
Germany thrashed Estonia 8-0 in Mainz when the sides met last June and German want three more points in Tallinn with the Dutch also away to Belarus on Sunday.
"Our goal is to leave no doubt about it. We have to take three points," said team director Oliver Bierhoff before Saturday's flight east.
Wingers Serge Gnabry and Marco Reus both scored twice in June's rout, but Bierhoff warned against complacency against bottom side Estonia, who have one point from six qualifiers.
"Such games can sometimes be strange. The longer you give teams like that air to breathe, the worse it can get," warned Bierhoff.
Estonia are 86 places below the Germans, according to FIFA rankings, and Bierhoff wants to see evidence of the gulf in class.
"We should make it clear from the first second that there is only one result." Head coach Joachim Loew had 13 players either injured or ill for Wednesday's 2-2 friendly draw against Argentina in Dortmund, but the situation has eased.
First-choice players Reus, who had a knee knock, plus midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and striker Timo Werner, who both had colds, are now available.
"We want to and will win so that we won't have any problems in the qualification," added Bierhoff.
The Dutch must slip up at least once in their remaining qualifiers if Germany are to finish top of the group.
"That is the problem," said Bierhoff, "so it's important for us to win our next three games," he added with the top two teams going through.
Wins over Estonia, then Belarus in Moenchengladbach on November 16 and three days later against Northern Ireland in Frankfurt will see Germany qualify.
Gnabry, who is in great form after scoring four goals for Bayern Munich at Tottenham 10 days ago and also netted in the draw with Argentina, expects a tough time.
The 24-year-old has scored 10 goals in his first eleven internationals.
"We must not underestimate them, especially when they have their fans behind them," said the former Arsenal winger.
"They will play very defensively to make it as hard as possible for us."Freiburg centre-back Robin Koch, who made his debut on Wednesday as a late replacement, will keep his place as Hertha defender Niklas Stark was sent home after a deep cut to his leg in training.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer will be back in goal after understudy Marc-Andre ter Stegen faced Argentina.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
40 minutes ago -
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
49 minutes ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
48 minutes ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results
2 hours ago -
Inaugurate of fitness gym at Ayum Stadium on 25th April
2 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
2 hours ago
-
Women’s One-Day tournament: Multan beat Rawalpindi, Quetta beat Peshawar, Lahore beat Karachi
2 hours ago -
Argentinian Etcheverry sees off Norrie to head into Barcelona Open semis
4 hours ago -
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
6 hours ago -
Duplantis to unleash 'inner' pole vault contest as Olympics beckon
6 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
6 hours ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
7 hours ago