Bayer Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno named in Germany squad By Alex Knight
Last Updated: 02/10/15 2:03pm
Germany coach Joachim Low has given a first call-up to Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno for the European Qualifying double-header against Republic of Ireland and Georgia. Germany will guarantee their place at next year's finals if they avoid defeat in Dublin on Thursday before returning home for their final Group D match in Leipzig three days later.
Low, who guided his country to World Cup glory last summer, said; "We want to bring our qualifying campaign to a serious and focused conclusion.
"Our aim is to beat both Ireland and Georgia to qualify for France as group winners. I have the utmost faith in the players, who fulfilled their duties excellently in September.
"These players are getting regular games and challenges for their clubs on a domestic and European level and they are all in a good rhythm."
Leno is the only new face in the squad which moved top of the qualification standings with victories over Poland and Scotland last month.
"We have plenty of candidates behind Manuel Neuer that we are keeping an eye on," said Germany's goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke.
"Bernd Leno has earned this call-up thanks to his constantly good performances for Bayer Leverkusen and just like Marc-Andre ter Stegen, we've had our eyes on him for a while.
"Both took part in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and now we want them both involved here and to work with them."
Germany are in poll position with 19 points, two more than Poland who sit second and four ahead of third-placed Republic of Ireland, who drew 1-1 in Gelsenkirchen when the sides met at the start of the qualifying campaign.
"We already knew how dangerous the Irish were even before we played them in the reverse fixture," Low said.
"Playing against Ireland in Dublin is not something you can take lightly. We can expect an amazing atmosphere with the fans getting right behind their Irish team and urging them on to the very last minute.
"We're going to have to keep our cool and also be patient if we want to survive there, but if we call up our potential and focus on our qualities, then we will create chances. I'm looking forward to the game and the atmosphere in Dublin."
Goalkeepers: Neuer (Bayern Munich), ter Stegen (Barcelona), Leno (Bayer Leverkusen);
Defenders: Ginter, Hummels (both Borussia Dortmund), Can (Liverpool), Boateng (Bayern Munich), Hector (Cologne), Mustafi (Valencia), Rudy (Hoffenheim)
Midfielders: Bellarabi, Kramer (both Bayer Leverkusen), Gundogan, Reus (both Borussia Dortmund), Kroos (Real Madrid), Muller, Gotze (both Bayern Munich), Ozil (Arsenal), Schurrle (Wolfsburg), Schweinsteiger (Man Utd)
Forwards: Podolski (Galatasaray), Kruse (Wolfsburg), Volland (Hoffenheim).
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12023/10014531/bayer-leverkusen-keeper-bernd-leno-named-in-germany-squad [ 此帖被羅力亞在2015-11-07 05:10重新編輯 ]
