Low demands greater German efficiency

The defeat means Germany still require a point to seal qualification heading into their final game of Group D against Georgia and Low was frustrated with his side’s performance.

The world champions need at least a point against Georgia in Leipzig on Sunday to make sure of their place. The players need to understand that when an opportunity comes their way it may be the last one they get in the game.

The only danger Germany really face is themselves, according to the local press.

German manager Joachim Low described the 1-0 reversal as an “unnecessary” defeat and speaking to reporters in Germany, the World Cup victor denied the visitors played badly and was not impressed by Ireland’s attacking strategy and time-wasting tactics.

“I never got the feeling we were arrogant or over-confident, ” Low said. But we are doing things the right way – there can be no doubt about that.

“If you’re asking for lessons to be learned, well, let me say that despite creating loads of chances we just wasted too many of those”, he added. However he struggled to get going in the final third, though boasted a pass completion ratio of 92%.

“We are considering what is not working and where we can improve”.

But Loew is more concerned with simply bouncing back from a rare and surprising defeat by returning to winning ways.

“We’re not so deadly in front of our opponents’ goal as we used to be”.

“Mario Gotze will definitely not be playing”.

Injury has ruled him out until January.

Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger may also miss out with a thigh injury, with Low saying his fitness will be tested shortly before kick-off.

“But overall I can say I leave them that flexibility without wanting to put them in a more rigid formation”.

Will Germany finish European Qualifiers with a win?

On the other hand, Georgia will start the match against Germany with a lot of self-confidence, having demonstrated their strengths against last-placed Gibraltar.