Germany: The highs and Loews of the world champions in Scotland

Joachim Loew and Manuel Neuer filed in one at a time into a bustling conference suite at The Hilton in Glasgow yesterday. Even the mere sight of the World Cup holders’ head coach and goalkeeper was enough to trigger a reaction more akin to the red carpet of a Hollywood premier than a pre-match natter over a cup of tea and a Tunnock's wafer. As Loew walked through the large doors at the back of the grand reception room on the hotel's first floor, a stampede of photographers scurried to within inches of him, setting off a cacophony of flashing lights and clattering shutters while the 55-year-old calmly parted the crowd, navigated his way round over a dozen camera men before taking his place in front of at least 50 journalists flown in from around the globe ahead of tonight’s European qualifier at Hampden.

It was not enough to put him off his stride, however, much like his team of late. While Gordon Strachan had to field questions about late flights, calamities in Georgia and if he intended to cut to cure a starting XI that struggled so badly in Tbilisi, his counterpart was instead questioned on trivial matters such as his views on tactics, formations, systems and impressive debuts. Perhaps the most negative request from one German hack was for his opinion on Mario Goetze, the out-of-favour Bayern Munich striker, and the difference between his club form and that for his country that saw him score twice against Poland on Friday.

“He is my man for important games. He has a gift for scoring against big teams,” said Loew in a way that left the Scottish press pack wondering if that was a good or a bad thing. “That’s something very few players have. He can play any position, as a no 10 or further up front.

“He will get many more minutes with Bayern this season. He is a very valuable player for me. He will always have highs and lows but I’ve told him to tough it out at Bayern Munich and his time will come.”

Every question fielded at Loew was met with the same steely expression and meticulously thought out retorts that regularly rolled on for minutes on end, not easy when you have the eyes of the world watching you. Not once was he flustered by any critique or criticism of his team of superstars. In fairness, there wasn’t much of that during the hour he and Neuer chewed the fat in Glasgow prior to their Hampden training session last night.

This is a team that finally seems at ease with itself. Friday night’s 3-1 victory over Poland, a result that took the Germans above their rivals and into top spot in Group D, has gone some way to exorcise the demons of last October when they were spooked during a 2-0 defeat in Warsaw, the first time the Poles had ever triumphed over them. It was a loss that was followed up three days later by a 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland.

It should be noted, though, that calls of crisis are unfounded and fanciful. Since then, Germany have gone on to win four games in the bounce, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one, albeit including two games against Gibraltar. The world champions look like a group of players comfortable with the expectation being placed upon them. Equally, they are a side typically professional and thorough in their approach no matter who the opposition. These are two elements that go hand in hand to form a typically efficient machine.

“Although Scotland are bitterly disappointed, they will be like a boxer who has taken a couple of knocks and will desperately to show their public they can do better,” said Neuer, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.

“Will this change their tactics against us? I don’t think so. They will continue to sir rather deep and try and score on the counter.

“We have to score our own goals and defend our goal.”