Saturday, October 8, 2011

Low wants to finish with perfect record


Germany coach Joachim Low has vowed to play his strongest side against Turkey on Friday as the runaway Group A leaders attempt to complete their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign without dropping a point.
Germany have already secured themselves a spot in next year's finals having won all eight of their matches so far, but Low is looking to claim a clean sweep with victories over Turkey in Istanbul and then at home to Belgium next Tuesday.

Low knows it will not be easy, though, with second-placed Turkey only two points ahead of third-placed Belgium in the battle to finish behind the Germans.

"10 games and 10 wins is what we would all wish for,'' Low told reporters at a press conference. "However, both Turkey and Belgium are big challenges. They are both going to give it all they have got to finish second. But we want to get through the qualifying campaign unbeaten.''

Low will therefore put any thoughts of experimentation aside, at least in Istanbul.

"First up we have Turkey and then we will see what we will do against Belgium,'' he said. "I won't be making seven or eight changes, though.''

Toni Kroos is unlikely to play on Friday due to illness which will probably mean he will stay behind in Germany. Borussia Monchengladbach's Marco Reus has been included in the squad and Low has promised him some game time, whether it be in Istanbul or Dusseldorf.

"I think it is about time that Marco Reus played for us,'' Low said. "He is a player who goes directly for the goal and creates lots of chances. In a wide position, as he has played in past, he can give life to every game, even with us, so he will certainly play in one of these games.''



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