Michael O’Neill believes Northern Ireland will have to be at their very best if they are to get the desired result against Germany in Belfast tonight.
They are set to meet in Group A of the European qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park (7.45 kick-off).
It’s the fourth game for both teams in the group – and they have each registered two victories to date. Northern Ireland’s only defeat was against the Germans in September, while Germany lost to Slovakia away in their group opener.
In his Manager’s View column in the matchday programme, the Northern Ireland boss says: “We matched them for long periods in the game in Cologne last month and, with a vocal crowd behind us, I believe we can do so again.”
Tonight’s encounter marks Michael O’Neill’s 100th game as manager of Northern Ireland. His 99th game saw his side defeat the Slovakians 2-0 in Belfast on Friday night.
The manager says: “Naturally, it’s a blow not to have Conor Bradley involved tonight. I thought he had a superb game against the Slovakians. Unfortunately his yellow card on Friday triggered a one-game suspension. I thought it was a very soft yellow given some of the challenges the referee left unpunished.
“However, I believe we now have the depth in our squad to cope with such situations. I have no doubt whoever steps in to replace Conor will rise to the occasion.”
O’Neill points out that Slovakia are “a very good team”, however he believes tonight’s opponents are another level up.
He says: “Germany’s squad is, of course, packed with players who perform at the highest levels of club football in European football, mainly in the Bundesliga. We will have to be at our very best if we are to get the desired result against them.
“But I feel the victory against Slovakia showed our players once again that they are capable of matching teams ranked much higher than us. I believe they now understand the levels they can get to.”
He also said the players are excited at the prospect of taking on Germany again, especially at home in front of a packed stadium.
“The atmosphere generated by the fans on Friday night was incredible and I have no doubt it will be even better tonight as we strive to put more points on the board in Group A,” he added.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann insisted yesterday that he did not mean to be disrespectful when he said Northern Ireland relied on playing long balls.
He said they had a style of play, which included an emphasis on set-pieces and playing long balls in behind, which was hard to defend against. He added that he expected Northern Ireland to be “a tough opponent” in Belfast.
Northern Ireland’s win at the Clearer Twist National Stadium on Friday saw them leapfrog Slovakia in Group A.
Slovakia, who had topped the table going in to the game, have dropped to third after Germany reached the summit thanks to a 4-0 win against Luxembourg in Sinsheim in southwestern Germany.
All three countries have six points after three Group A games. Germany’s goal difference is now four, Northern Ireland’s is two, while Slovakia have a GD of one.
Germany’s head coach usually deploys a single out-and-out striker, which was Newcastle United frontman Nick Woltemade in Cologne last month.
The attacking players in the three behind the ‘number nine’ are given licence to interchange positions, while one or two defensive midfielders sit in front of the back four when they attack.
Germany operate with a flat back four, however both full-backs have licence to get forward – and regularly do.
Tonight’s game is being shown live on BBC 2 network and on the BBC iPlayer. And you can follow it on Northern Ireland social channels.
