Marco Reus tells Germany to beware Scotland in Euro qualifier

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/05/marco-reus-germany-beware-scotland-euro-qualifier

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Germany will need to be wary of Scotland on Sunday as they kick off their Euro 2016 qualifiers with their rivals undefeated in their last six games, their midfielder Marco Reus has warned.

“They have not lost for six straight games and they are a strong team with a fighting spirit,” said Reus, who was unlucky to miss the World Cup triumph due to an injury in their final warm-up game against Armenia.

“Scotland close down spaces quickly and so we will need patience and we need to be much better than against Argentina. We need to be more effective in front of goal,” the 25-year-old said.

The Germans, with Reus making his return from injury, lost 4-2 to Argentina in a friendly rematch of July’s World Cup final on Wednesday.

Germany squandered a string of good chances with Mario Gomez alone missing three times from close range.

“Scotland are strong, they have a leader in Darren Fletcher, they are very quick in attack. What is needed from us is patience and we are fully aware of that,” Reus added. Scotland have won four and drawn two of their last six internationals.

The Germans will have their central defender Jérôme Boateng back for the game allowing their coach Joachim Löw to reshuffle his back line following a string of errors, especially from the full-backs, against the South Americans.

“Jérôme will be back, he is without pain and is more or less certain to play,” said the goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke.

“These last two days will show what changes or if any there will be in defence. Jérôme will return and some things will change but who will be on the left or on the right is something I cannot say just now.”

Germany and Scotland have been drawn in Group D along with Ireland, Georgia, Poland and Gibraltar.