Michael O’Neill wants to build on a fine start to Northern Ireland’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign by getting “a positive result” in Germany tonight.
The Germans are reeling after losing 2-0 away to Slovakia in their opener, while Northern Ireland are in upbeat mood after defeating Luxembourg 3-1 away in their first Group A encounter.
And the Northern Ireland boss believes his players can take something from the game at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Koln (Cologne).
He told media yesterday: "I think, given where we are as a team, playing obviously one of the superpowers of European football, one of the heavyweights, we have everything to gain from the match.
“We know we're playing an extremely good side who have had obviously a difficult game on Thursday night, so we would expect a reaction on that side of things.
"Given where we are as a squad, the age of our squad, the experience of our squad, it's a great opportunity for us. It's a game for us to look forward to and enjoy and hopefully take something from."
O’Neill also pointed out that Germany, who are ranked ninth in the world, always play with pressure because the expectation is so high and their players are used to dealing with that.
He added that the criticism the German team has received following the defeat in Bratislava will likely provide “extra motivation” for the German players because “everyone wants to do well for their national team”.
After beginning the campaign with the victory at Stade de Luxembourg, the Northern Ireland manager said a positive result in Cologne would turn a good trip into a great one.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side lacked passion and desire against the Slovakians.
He revealed he had one-to-one conversations with his players and they know they must do better in Cologne (7.45 kick-off BST).
Nagelsmann further claimed that he would not be making wholesale changes to his starting 11.
The Germany squad features lots of experienced players, although it has a sprinkling of younger players.
The backline is likely to be marshalled by Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger (32), who earned his 80th cap against the Slovakians. Twenty-nine-year-old Bayern Munich centre back Jonathan Tah (38 caps) is expected to be alongside him.
The Germans are captained by experienced Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The 30-year-old earned his 102nd cap last week. He is joined in the middle of the park by attack-minded Bayern team-mates Leon Goretzka (30) and Serge Gnabry (30), who have 62 and 52 caps respectively.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s new attacking midfielder, is the only other player in the engine room with more than 20 caps. The 22-year-old has 32 caps and seven goals.
The two forwards in the German squad are Borussia Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier and new Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade, one of the stars of the UEFA Under-21 European Championship back in the summer.
Beier (22), who was brought in to replace injured West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug in the panel following the Slovakia game, has four senior caps, while Woltemade (23) has just three caps.
There is inexperience in the goalkeeping ranks within Nagelsmann’s panel. Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann may be aged 35 but he is the most experienced keeper at senior international level with just five caps.
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