Germany are aiming to return from the doldrums of 2018. Joachim Low’s side were unceremoniously knocked out of the World Cup 2018 in the group stage and later relegated from League A in the UEFA Nations League.
So far, 2019 has been better but Low will want to continue the momentum on Saturday night against Belarus in Barysaw.
The Germans won their opening Euro 2020 qualifying Group C match against the Netherlands in a five-goal thriller.
Germany raced out to a 2-0 halftime lead only for the Dutch to peg them back. Hoffenheim’s Nico Schulz scored a 90th minute goal for Germany to lift them to victory.
Low will hope his defence can be stronger against Belarus after it allowed the Netherlands two second half scores.
Belarus go into the weekend having lost their two opening games of qualifying. Manager Igor Kriushenko has seen his side lose 4-0 to the Netherlands and 2-1 to Northern Ireland.
Expectations are high that Belarus will once again concede goals without reply against the Germans like they did in their match with the Dutch.
Belarus are –5 in goal difference and face a Germany team with a wealth of attacking options. Leroy Sane, Kai Havertz, and Timo Werner are all in the Germany squad for Saturday night and all three could have big games in attack.
The two nations have played once previously to their Euro 2020 qualifying fixtures. They met back in 2008 as Germany were overhauling their side under Low. The fixture ended 2-2 after Germany allowed Belarus to score two goals in the final 29 minutes.
Low has called goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into the side despite the player missing the final part of the Bundesliga season through injury. Neuer is expected to be given the armband and start in goal.
The Germany manager is also expected to play a 3-4-3 formation and take advantage of attacking wide players. A number of Germany’s top wingers play in three-man front lines at the club level. Sane, Marco Reus, and Serge Gnabry are all familiar with attacking as a trio.
Werner will play as the lone No. 9, which is a position he may become used to if he makes a much-anticipated move to Liverpool.
Germany are on the rebound from their poor 2018 and should push past Belarus with little resistance. The German attack should pin Belarus back and prevent them from getting a sniff of Neuer’s goal.
Low’s side will roll to a victory while keeping a clean sheet against Belarus.