Low hopes for lift off

Germany go into the match on the back of a disappointing Euro 2012 when they failed to live up to expectations, and Low admitted the camp had been down and frictions had surfaced.

“There can be friction to a degree, which I admit to,” he said. “Having a team away together for seven or eight weeks is tremendously difficult.

“You have 23 players who all have their own problems. But the basic spirit was fantastic. Maybe it was not as good as 2010 but that was because the pre-tournament preparation conditions were not as good.

“The players have better rhythm now. Defensively, we will be good. Ireland will be committed but my team will be there from the off.”