Ireland V Germany 12th October & Faroe Islands 16th October 2012 - World Cup 2014 Q

[DannyInvincible]

Since the Euros, Germany have won their two competitive games against the Faroe Islands (3-0) and Austria (2-1). Other than that, they lost a friendly against Argentina (1-3) in August. Not really sure what that tells us about their current form; they've won when it really matters.

[BonnieShels]

Pretty sure Lahm is suspended alright. Thanks be to jaysus.

I know that it doesn't need to be said.

But isn't this guy just a wonderful player. A pleasure to watch every time I see him.

[Stuttgart88]

Kick-off time for Faroes - 7pm Irish time, yes?

[jbyrne]

think i heard that they are unbeaten away from home ever in a qualifier and only lost twice at home?
says it all about what faces us friday week

[Stuttgart88]

Northern Irealnd and England have beaten them at home. Are they the only teo?

They won all ten in last campaign.

[Murfinator]

think i heard that they are unbeaten away from home ever in a qualifier and only lost twice at home?
says it all about what faces us friday week

Honestly it doesn't bother me too much, Germany are a rare breed of being both a world class team and an incredibly consistent one. They've strength in depth only bettered by Spain, a few injuries or suspensions to absolutely anyone and they can be replaced. They were semi-finalists or finalists in the last 3 major tournaments, Bayern were champions league finalists last year and Dortmund could very well beat the champions of England tonight. No such thing as an impossible task but this is as close as it comes to it.

It wouldn't upset me to lose home and away to Germany because I think everyone else will too. I'd worry about their last game against Sweden when Germany will already be qualified but that's something out of our control. How we fare against Sweden and Austria will decide our qualification, very much doubt how anyone does against Germany will be a factor. Hope people stay calm if we ship a heavy defeat, so long as we get the 3 points of the Faroes we're still on track.

[Yard of Pace]

I know that it doesn't need to be said.

But isn't this guy just a wonderful player. A pleasure to watch every time I see him.

One of my favourite players of all time, for sure. The fact he resembles Terry Hall of the Specials is an added bonus.

[SkStu]

think i heard that they are unbeaten away from home ever in a qualifier and only lost twice at home?
says it all about what faces us friday week

Germany (or as their previous incarnation, West Germany) have NEVER lost a World Cup Qualifier away from home.

Germany (or as their previous incarnation, West Germany) have only ever lost 2 World Cup Qualifiers at home, 1-2 to Portugal in 1985 and 1-5 to England in 2001. Both times they still qualified for the tournament and for good measure reached the Final.

[Charlie Darwin]

That is some record. Steady Eddies the lot of them.

[SkStu]

Northern Irealnd and England have beaten them at home. Are they the only teo?

Northern Ireland was in Euros qualifying. England 5-1 was in the WC obviously as per my post above...

[Charlie Darwin]

A few of the German internationals we will expect to face are on show in Eastlands tonight, particularly Hummels at centre back. Goetze found space to force a super save from Joe Hart. Dortmund are currently tearing strips out of the City midfield. It sounds like they've brought a massive support too, as you'd expect from the best-supported team in Europe.

[Charlie Darwin]

Hummels limped off with the game in the balance - dare we dream?

[tricky_colour]

http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=137&l...6835a1ea263fce

That's the German squad.
They're likely to pick Neuer, who acts like a sweeper at the best of times so the long aimless balls will get recycled far quicker, with less kick-outs. They are likely to play Lahm, Mertesacker, Hummels and Badstuber across the back. Mertesacker will win everything in the air, and Hummels will play the football. His selection on the flanks will be crucial. Badstuber isn't great going backwards, and I'd put McGeady on that side, but he's going to need a workhorse on the left otherwise Lahm will kill us.

Their midfield truly is jizz-worthy: Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Khedera, Gotze, Muller, Schurrle, Reus. It's fricking ridiculous, and interchangeable too.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Gotze and Reus on the flanks as they surely know we'll be susceptible to a bit of pace and trickery at the back? That would mean a pairing of Schweinsteiger (I think he's out injured though?) and probably Khedira with Ozil just in front and the two flyers out wide, and Klose up top.

I genuinely worry for us next weekend. I think we could be given a serious hiding. And I thought that before Euro 2012. It's not like Spain where you know they'll keep the ball in safe areas and tease you out; Germany will attack, attack and attack some more, safe in the knowledge we'll give the ball back to them time and again.

I see currently Man City at home are being beaten 1-0 buy Borussia Dortmund who include Schweinsteiger,and Gotze although the line up suggest as fullback and forward respectively.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19725428
Would Ireland beat Man City at home? I doubt it.

Oh and I note ( from prior posters) they also have Hummels.
Still we are a better side than Man City

[geysir]

I see currently Man City at home are being beaten 1-0 buy Borussia Dortmund who include Schweinsteiger,and Gotze although the line up suggest as fullback and forward respectively.

An edit is in order there.

[tricky_colour]

An edit is in order there.

Yes:-

I see currently Man City at home are being beaten 1-0. Buy Borussia Dortmund they are a good club, who include Schweinsteiger,and Gotze although the line up suggest as fullback and forward respectively.

[Charlie Darwin]

Schweinsteiger plays for Bayern.

[CraftyToePoke]

Schweinsteiger

Does anyone know what this translates as? The 'stieger' bit ... I heard recently but laughed so much it wasn't good for me. Then forgot.

[Charlie Darwin]

Somebody cleared this up on here a while ago actually. I thought it was 'pig stepper' but literally it means 'pig foreman' - presumably some sort of pig farmer.

You probably heard that it meant 'pig mounter'?

[Crosby87]

Pig Foreman haha. The chief of police?

[theworm2345]

Does anyone know what this translates as? The 'stieger' bit ... I heard recently but laughed so much it wasn't good for me. Then forgot.

Somebody cleared this up on here a while ago actually. I thought it was 'pig stepper' but literally it means 'pig foreman' - presumably some sort of pig farmer.

You probably heard that it meant 'pig mounter'?

German is similar to English. Obviously schwein = pig. Steiger must be a variation of the German word steig which according to Google Translate means sidewalk.

EDIT: More here: http://www.houseofnames.com/steiger-family-crest