Germany will be at home to Northern Ireland in Group C of the Euro 2020 qualifiers under pressure in the last round, losing their first qualifier against the Netherlands.

The Germans fell at home in Hamburg on Friday 2-4, in their first defeat after three wins in the qualifiers, retaining their second place with nine points behind Northern Ireland (12 points from four games).

However, the loss embarrassed Joachim Loew, who are only three points behind third-placed Netherlands, who played less than a match, making the Manchushet coach insist victory in Belfast is essential.

Loew, who is rebuilding the 2014 World Champions after the first round of the World Cup in Russia 2018, hoped that his players would "react" because Germany "have to win their next game, this is very important." "We have to win, we have to approach the game in such a way that we leave the pitch winning."

Loew has undergone extensive changes in the squad in recent months as part of a rebuilding process against the backdrop of disappointing World Cup results. Loew, who has been in charge since 2006, has sacked a number of veterans, most notably striker Thomas Muller and defense poles Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, and pushed with fresh blood, including Borussia Dortmund left back Nikko Schulz, who will miss the game.

The German team entered the match Friday against his orange, which is under development under the supervision of coach Ronald Koeman after the absence of «Orange» for the European Cup 2016 and the World Cup 2018, boosted with confidence to achieve three consecutive wins this year in the European qualifiers, at the expense of the Netherlands (3-2), Belarus 2-0 and Estonia 8-0.

However, the Netherlands, led by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dyck, inflicted on the Germans their first loss, restored the painful wounds of the 2018 World Cup, and raised question marks about the team's ability to ensure the elimination of qualifying in one of the first or second places directly qualified to the continental finals. Loew admitted after the Netherlands game that more work is needed to bring the newcomers more into the squad. "We have to raise the morale of the young players a bit and give them confidence that they can be stronger," he said. "I am sure we will see a reaction."

Tactical changes

Loew's tactical options against the Netherlands, especially relying on three defensive players in the 3-5-2 plan, have been criticized by the German press for playing with defensive discretion. The newspaper «Bild» that «the alarm began to ring» in the ranks of the national team, while the magazine «Kicker» mitigated the loss to the Netherlands, saying that «do not panic yet».

While Loew defended his options, he hinted that he would make adjustments in today's game against Northern Ireland, which is waiting for them in the remaining four games, four difficult confrontations against Germany and the Netherlands.

"Northern Ireland is a stunningly solid team," Loew said. "They play a lot of long balls, play deep, and they won't leave us much space, so we have to think about something different tactically."

The Netherlands has an opportunity

Northern Ireland have received only two goals so far in the European qualifiers, but the history of the two matches is largely in favor of Germany, who have won 11 games in 17 games, and emerged victorious in the last seven direct encounters.

Northern Ireland's last victory dates back to November 1983, when they were 1-0 up against West Germany, according to UEFA's website.

Coach Michael O'Neill is counting on a young line-up with experienced players, most notably captain Stephen Davis, who will be the only player to score in the national team's most-capped jersey in Monday's 113th match for Northern Ireland.

The Dutch will have a chance when they are away to lowly Estonian side, bottom of the group after four defeats in four games in which they have conceded 14 goals.

The Dutchman said the victory over Germany was "very good. We have five games left so we are not there yet." "But that (beating Germany) makes it a little easier."

Highlights

In the highlights of the day also, Croatia, runners-up world champion France, will visit Azerbaijan in Group E qualifiers, which also includes Hungary and Slovakia.

Hungary top the group with nine points from three wins and a draw, a goal difference from Croatia, who have also played four games.

Belgium, top of Group I with 15 points from five games, visit Scotland, while Russia hosts second place (12 points from five games).