Northern Ireland and Germany will clash on Monday in Belfast in what will be one of the biggest Euro 2020 qualifying matches of the round.
The two nations entered the international break as the top two teams in Group C. Northern Ireland had collected 12 points from 12 possible. However, all four wins came against Estonia and Belarus.
Despite winning against Group C’s minnows, Northern Ireland did not win their matches by big scorelines. Three of those matches finished by a one-goal margins.
Germany entered the international break with nine points from nine possible. Joachim Low’s team has rebounded from a poor World Cup 2018 and a frustrating UEFA Nations League.
Low’s team will face off with the Netherlands prior to playing Northern Ireland and could taste their first loss of Euro 2020 qualification going into Monday night in Belfast.
Northern Ireland head into the match following a 1-0 win over Luxembourg in an international friendly on Thursday. A 37th-minute Kevin Malget own goal gave the Northern Irish the victory. It was another low-scoring, defence first match for Michael O’Neill’s team.
The Northern Irish have won all five of their matches in 2019. They average 1.6 goals per match. They don’t create many chances, and against Luxembourg, Northern Ireland tallied just seven shots with one hitting the target.
O’Neill will most likely deploy a 4-3-3 formation with Hull City striker Josh Magennis leading the line. Northern Ireland lack the big-name stars Germany possess, but so far, they have been a well-oiled machine of professionals.
Germany could be without midfielder Leon Goretzka for the Monday night match. Goretzka picked up a knock in training and was left out of Friday night’s game against the Netherlands.
Low will mostly likely deploy Bayern Munich player Joshua Kimmich in midfield. He has been transformed from a full-back into a central midfielder at the club level (like Philipp Lahm at the end of his career). Kimmich will most likely play next to Toni Kroos.
Striker Timo Werner is in great form for club team RB Leipzig. He scored a hat-trick against Borussia Monchengladbach just before the international break and goes into the game in Belfast in great form.
Germany have played Northern Ireland 17 times since 1958. The Germans have won 11, drawn four, and lost twice against Northern Ireland. Germany have not lost to Northern Ireland since 1983.
M-A-T-C-H-D-A-Y 🔥🔥🔥---⚽ @NorthernIreland 🆚 @DFB_Team ⏰ 20.45 Uhr MESZ🏟️ Windsor Park, Belfast📱 #NIRGER #DieMannschaft📺 Live bei RTL pic.twitter.com/XIkXQueLPG— Die Mannschaft (@DFB_Team) September 9, 2019
M-A-T-C-H-D-A-Y 🔥🔥🔥---⚽ @NorthernIreland 🆚 @DFB_Team ⏰ 20.45 Uhr MESZ🏟️ Windsor Park, Belfast📱 #NIRGER #DieMannschaft📺 Live bei RTL pic.twitter.com/XIkXQueLPG
Monday night’s game will see one of Group C’s top sides pick up a vital win in Belfast. Based on Northern Ireland’s low-scoring performances so far, expect them to struggle in the final third against a rejuvenated Germany.