Oslo (dpa) – Germany coach Joachim Loew has demanded a winning start to the defence of the World Cup when his side opens qualifying away to Norway on Sunday.
«We have not come to Norway to look at the wonderful nature and enjoy it,» Loew told reporters at a news conference in Oslo Saturday. «We want to win the first game.»
Germany stuttered through qualifying for Euro 2016, dropping five points to Ireland and three to Poland after lifting the 2014 World Cup. They finally secured their Euro spot in France on the last match-day.
And Loew is anxious to show more consistency en route to Russia 2018 in qualifying Group C, which also includes the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and San Marino.
«I don’t want us to have a mixed World Cup qualifying campaign,» Loew said. «We want to improve and be fully focused during the game tomorrow.
«I am expecting a hard fought game as Norway have a lot of international experience in their team. Norway are strong defensively and dangerous on the counter.»
Loew added that midfielder Julian Draxler has recovered from flu so all players in the squad are fit and available. The likes of Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller are all expected to be recalled after being rested in the Wednesday friendly win over Finland.
«It will be a difficult away game but we will be looking to start with a win,» Kroos said.
«We shouldn’t underestimate Norway. They will try to stay solid defensively and look to counter-attack.
«We have respect for all of our opponents but we know that we are normally the better team, so we need to show that.»
