UEFA Euro 2021 Qualifier Preview: Germany -v- Republic of Ireland

GERMANY

Germany welcome the Republic of Ireland to Essen on Saturday afternoon knowing a win of any description will put them in firm control of Group I (kick-off 1pm Irish time).

Die Nationalelf are a point behind Ireland with a game in hand – which takes place away to Montenegro on Tuesday.

Germany beat the Montenegrins 10-0 in their opening qualifier and have amassed 31 goals in their four games to date without conceding a goal.

They will be confident of maintaining that enviable record against Ireland, though Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Sara Dabritz noted Ireland are their main rivals in the group.

"When we met up on Monday, there was nothing but smiling faces,” said Dabritz, who returns to the side after eight months out injured.

“We were all happy to be back with the national team and you can see that in every training session. We’re really enjoying our football.

“Obviously we know we’ve got our most important qualifier on Saturday, but we also know we’ve got a superb team.

“We really want to win the game and get the three points. We’re looking forward to the game,” said Dabritz, who will only feature against Ireland before returning to her club.

The Germans have had an injury-interrupted lead-up to the qualifiers, with Linda Dallmann, Kristin Demann and Turid Knaak all ruled out.

Sandra Starke and Paulina Krumbiegel have been called up in place of the former pair while Knaak has not been replaced.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The business end of the qualifying group begins for Vera Pauw’s side now with a tough away trip in Essen against one of the world’s finest sides.

Ireland sit top of Group I, unbeaten, with four wins and a draw from their opening five games, but the Germans represent a massive step up on what they’ve faced to date.

Pauw, for her part, sought to dampen down expectations ahead of the game and insisted that winning the group is unlikely – but automatic qualification is.

The nine group winners, along with the three best second-placed sides, will qualify automatically while the remaining six go to the play-offs.

"Winning the group is unrealistic – we have to know where we stand to succeed,” the Dutch coach admitted.

”We want to take everything we possibly can from the Germany game but for me the key game is Ukraine.

“If we can take three points against Ukraine and steal a point against Germany we have a huge chance to go straight to England”.

Pauw has no injury concerns ahead of the game with the full squad fit for selection, including the returning Megan Connolly, Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan.

Referee: Monika Mularczyk (Poland)

MATCH STATS

The Republic of Ireland have played five games to date, to Germany’s four, and both sides have four wins to show for their efforts.

Germany have scored a massive 31 goals in their four games from – including two 8-0 wins over Ukraine – while Ireland have managed ten.

The sides have met four times in competition, in qualifying for the 2007 and 2015 World Cups.

Germany have won all four games, with the closest tie a 3-2 win for the Germans in Tallaght in April 2014.

PREDICTION

Germany 3 – 0 Republic of Ireland

Germany

Injured: Linda Dallmann, Kristin Demann, Turid Knaak

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Republic of Ireland

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.